Carlos Alcaraz sported the broadest of smiles as he returned to Centre Court at Wimbledon on Monday, a day after his heroics in the final against Novak Djokovic.
The 2023 men’s singles champion had been lauded across the globe as he celebrated the happiest moment of his life at the annual Champions’ Dinner on Sunday night.
The Spaniard, who joined ladies’ singles champion Marketa Vondrousova at the Lawn Hospitality Suite, explained that he had longed to win Wimbledon as a boy.
“For me, it is a dream come true to win Wimbledon. But it is even more special beating a legend like Novak,” he told the dignitaries gathered at the Champions’ Dinner.
When Alcaraz returned to the Grounds on Monday, he was still feeling the exhilaration of his phenomenal 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 triumph over Djokovic.
Shortly after lunch, the 20-year-old strode on to Centre Court carrying the Wimbledon Champions’ Trophy that he earned with such distinction.
Just over 24 hours earlier the stands were full with fans roaring his name in approval as he launched an extraordinary comeback to defeat the seven-time champion from Serbia.
“Carlos. Carlos. CARLOS!”.
The chorus began at the start of the second set and continued throughout a final that became one for the ages, culminating in his coronation as Wimbledon champion.
The contrast to his return as a freshly-minted member of the All England Club on Monday was stark.
A groan as he sat down to pose for a photograph with the trophy betrayed just how significant a toll the exacting struggle against Djokovic had been.
For all the youthful exuberance he possesses, that moment of stiffness made clear that the world No.1 is human after all.
Who would not feel sore after playing Djokovic for almost five hours?
For me, it is a dream come true to win Wimbledon. But it is even more special beating a legend like Novak
But the soreness was more than worthwhile given the achievement he had fulfilled and as he eased himself tenderly on to the hallowed turf, he broke into another brilliant smile.
It had been a whirlwind 24 hours since he stood at the entrance to Centre Court, where the famous Rudyard Kipling quotation greets players:
“If you can meet with triumph and disaster and meet those two impostors just the same.”
Following his victory a throng of fans gathered below the balcony of The Members’ Enclosure to greet him. In return, the new champion blew them kisses.
Then there were interviews with media from around the world, and after those the Champions' Dinner.
After a few hours of much-needed sleep the two-time Grand Slam-winner embarked on a busy Monday schedule.
Keeping the trophy close, the rising star of tennis participated in more broadcast interviews, describing his pride at claiming the crown.
But even so, his media duties were not without incident.
A gasp escaped him during an interview with CNN when he accidentally knocked the lid off the trophy in his haste to show it off.
His reflexes remained as razor-sharp in his recovery as they proved in the final against Djokovic, with the Spaniard laughing with relief as he rescued the lid.
In a separate interview with the Today Show in the US, he talked about the strength of belief that he had in his ability to defeat the 23-time Grand Slam-winning legend.
It was tough to deal with the nerves, facing Novak on that stage. But I am really glad that I did it. I just believed in myself the entire time.
“It was a dream come true for me to defeat Novak the way I did on Centre Court, (where) he was unbeaten for ten years,” he said.
“It was tough to deal with the nerves, facing Novak on that stage. But I am really glad that I did it. I just believed in myself the entire time.”
His success prompted his peers and champions from other sporting codes to offer their congratulations.
Compatriots Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer, Australian legend Rod Laver and American icon Billie Jean King were among the tennis stars to note his achievement on social media.
World championship winning Spanish Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso also celebrated his success, so too basketballer Pau Gasol, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and footballer Toni Kroos.
The Wimbledon champion is due to return to the court representing Spain in the Hopman Cup being held in France later this week
The Championships 2024 will take place from July 1 – 14 2024 and the Wimbledon Public Ballot will open in mid-September. Make sure you’re one of the first to hear about tickets for next year’s Championships by signing up to myWimbledon.