Wimbledon 2023 final Highlights: Alcaraz ends Djokovic's Centre Court reign to claim maiden title

Djokovic is irritated as umpire calling “late for service” after Alcaraz gains advantage on his serve. And Alcaraz breaks in the opening game. For the first time in the match Alcaraz is in the lead. 

Djokovic* 6-1, 6-7(6), 0-1 Alcaraz

Well, well. Two missed groundstrokes in the net and now it is set point opportunity for Alcaraz. HE DOES IT! HE DOES IT! HE DOES IT! He ends the Serbian's run of 15 consecutive tiebreaks won at Majors!

Time violation for Djokovic! Boos all around Centre Court now. Djokovic however levels it to 5-all after a missed volley from Alcaraz. He is disappointed to have missed that opportunity. Djokovic…holds his nerves against an attacking Alcaraz at the net to smash that passing backhand shot. 6-5 and set point opportunity to the Serb. Alcaraz saves it! It is 6-all now. 

Djokovic looks for the drop shot, but it hits the net as he breaks into a wry smile. 3-all now. Change of sides. Tough volley for Alcaraz and he has been left frustrated as he bangs his racket on the net. He then gains a point on the next 4-all it is.  DROP SHOT to PEFECTION! Stunner from Alcaraz! 5-4 to Alcaraz

Djokovic soars to an early 3-0 lead before Alcaraz gains one on serve and then gets an ace. 4-2 to Djokovic

On to the tie-breaker we go as Djokovic holds serve. When was the last time he lost in the tie-breaker? Not in the last two Grand Slams - 13 in a row now

A 15-shot rally and Alcaraz emerges on top. That is what he needs here. Has to be on his toes and cannot allow an inch of space to the Serb. Goes 30-15 up and then makes it 40-15 with an unreturned serve. Another of those and he holds. 6-5 and Alcaraz leads the 2nd set. He now has to break back because we all know Djokovic's record in tie-breakers.

By the tiniest of margin, Alcaraz fails to gain set-point advantage. And then Djokovic goes 40-30 up after an unforced errors from the Spaniard. Alcaraz gets a respite as Djokovic nets a return. He needs to work around the ball and test the defending champion here. Couple of sliced returns from the two before Alcaraz looked to surprise the Serb with a drop shot that eventually struck the net. Advantage to Djokovic. Incredible from the Serb! Drop shot from Alcaraz and Novak made a stunning run towards the net, made an outrageous return leaving Alcaraz stunned. 

Djokovic* 6-1, 5-5 Alcaraz

With a bit of support from the net, Alcaraz sizes up the forehand and goes cross court. Djokovic suffers from a nasty slide on return as Alcaraz goes 40-15 up. Holds. Alcaraz still having the edge in the 2nd set

Djokovic holds at 15 to make it 4-4 in the 2nd set. But he doesn't seem happy there as he screams a few words at his box. Wonder what he said…

This is tennis from another planet! Djokovic made a fine adjustment but Alcaraz's return leaves him stunned and on the ground. Centre Court…they give a standing ovation. And then there is a forehand down the line return. 40-0 up goes the Spaniard. Game, with an ace! He goes 4-3 up in the second set

Brilliant from Alcaraz as he plays Djokovic from side to side before going for the drop shot to do the damage. He will have to dictate these long rallies. Backhand down the line return. Tennis just doesn't get better than that! That is just what Alcaraz needs against Djokovic. After two such good points to go 30-0 up, Alcaraz fails to make a decent return against that 2nd serve of Djokovic, who then takes the next point as well. 30-all. Another of those faulty returns and Djokovic holds. 

Djokovic* 6-1, 3-3 Alcaraz

That is pure muscle power! Serve wide out from Alcaraz. 30-15 now. And then goes 40-15 up but Djokovic pulls one back with a stupendous return. The smash shot, that the Serb so doesn't like at all, fetches him an important point as he brings it to deuce. Alcaraz quickly gains advantage with a stunning volley and Djokovic acknowledges it.  The Spaniard eventually holds to lead second set 3-2

Amid the windy conditions, playing drops shots has been difficult in this matchv. But Alcaraz has now done it twice in the game and he gained both the points. But then erred on a return from Djokovic. The Serb is not getting a lot of 1st serves in this set. Only 6 in 15 attempts. And then the drama - he slips on trying to return which eventually hits the net. WHAT A RALLY! Absolutely gruesome! 29 nasty shots…lots of footwork and eventually it was Djokovic with a win. He cups his ears and urges the crowd to roar for him. Alcaraz is not happy at all and then gets outplayed after a drop shot. Big hold for Djokovic! 

Djokovic* 6-1, 2-2 Alcaraz 

What was that! After the double fault, Alcaraz responds with an unbelievable shot at the net. And then we witness a long rally with much confident striking from Alcaraz who outplays Djokovic with a wide forehand return. Djokovic then gets a slice of fortune at the net as his return chips the top of net and surprises Alcaraz as it goes past him. We also see Murray in the crowd, the last man to beat Djokovic in a Wimbledon final, and on Centre Court. Chance to close the game for Alcaraz at 40-30, but sends the forehand sailing over the baseline. Alcaraz has also found it difficult returning the ball everytine Djokovic has charged the net. His drop shot too hasn't been as effective as in the previous matches. Ohh no! Djokovic lets out a huge roar as he breaks back 

Djokovic 6-1, 1-2 Alcaraz*

Djokovic looks a bit distracted after Alcaraz gains the first two points. He looks up to his box before serving. And then with a bit of luck at the net, he escapes from being 0-40 down. OUTRAGEOUS DEFENSE! The backhand return got the ball back at baseline before he dished out the forehand return to outplay Alcaraz. 30-all it is. Alcaraz dispatches a powerful overhead volley to make it deuce. Also, Djokovic is taking a lot of time between 1st and 2nd serves. Almost 12-15 seconds and he is doing it deliberatly. The sarcastic claps again after he misses a return. He feels, ‘Why are they supporting Alcaraz?’ And unforced return and Alcaraz has a break point chance. BREAKS! 48 minutes after the start of the match, the Spaniards breaks for the first time. 

Djokovic* 6-1, 0-2 Alcaraz

Two very strong serves from Alcaraz and he goes 40-15 up and eventually holds serve. That's a good start from the Spaniard after he lost the first set. 

Djokovic 6-1, 0-1 Alcaraz*

Djokovic holds serve at love to take the opening set 6-1. 

Djokovic* 6-1 Alcaraz

Bit of luck for Alcaraz, as his return hits the net cord hard and then falls on the other side. Then gets an unreturned serve. 30-0 up now. Ohh…the double fault! Couldn't have found a worse timing. The Spaniard nicely constructs the next point, finishing with a volley and then holds serve with a passing forehand shot. Centre Court applauds and roars. 

Djokovic 5-1 Alcaraz*

Just the start of the match but the Centre Court crowd is already behind Alcaraz, who is the underdog in the contest despite his achievements so far.  The Serb gains a comfortable hold of serve. 

Djokovic* 5-0 Alcaraz

The wind is swirling and Djokovic, standing in front of the Royal Box, is returning into the wind. Alcaraz…ohh that could have been damaging. As he went forward to return the drop shot, he slipped with replay showing an extension at his knee which could have been bad. He failed to return a volley and Djokovic has double break-point chance. Alcaraz saves both. Djokovic eventually gains an advantage and then breaks again. 

Djokovic 4-0 Alcaraz*

That was a long, long rally! Even at 36, Djokovic is going toe-to-toe with his 20-year-old opponent. And eventually an error of judgement from Alcaraz saw Djokovic fightback to 30-all. TWEENER! Alcaraz's mastery has Centre Court on its feet, but Djokovic nods his head to say that was out. OUT IT IS! Alcaraz smiles and spectators sigh. Djokovic eventually holds 

Djokovic* 3-0 Alcaraz

What a return! That was out wide to Djokovic on the forehand side and the Serb responded with a destructive cross court return well outside the reach of the Spaniard. 0-30 for Djokovic. A gust of wind at the time of Djokovic's return and he adjusted supremely to gain three break-point opportunities. Alcaraz saved one after an unforced error from Djokovic and then another with a powerful forehand return. But Djokovic became third time lucky! What a break of serve

Djokovic 2-0 Alcaraz*

Alcaraz gave himself an early chance to break Djokovic in the opening game, but the Serb showed his experience as he denied the opportunity and comfortably held serve.

Djokovic* 1-0 Alcaraz

And the final, that we so much waited for, is underway on Centre Court. Will we witness the usual with Novak Djokovic continuing his reign or can Alcaraz pull off one of the greatest upsets?