Carlos Alcaraz gave Novak Djokovic no chance as the Spaniard cruised to a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4) win at the All England Club.

London: Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4) in the Wimbledon men's final on Sunday to win his fourth Grand Slam title at the age of 21. It was a rematch of last year's championship match on grass. of the All England Club, which Alcaraz won in five sets.

This one – played in front of a Center Court crowd that included Kate, Princess of Wales, making a rare public appearance since announcing she had cancer – was too easy for Alcaraz, at least until she stumbled while holding three match points. Won 5-4 in the third set.

Still, Alcaraz regrouped and eventually won his second consecutive major trophy after winning on clay last month at the French Open. The Spaniard won his first Slam title as a teenager at the 2022 US Open, and no man has collected more Slam hardware before turning 22.

He improved to 4-0 in major finals. Djokovic, 37, wearing a gray sleeve over his surgically repaired right knee, was denied in his bid for an eighth Wimbledon title and a record 25th title overall. He tore his meniscus at Roland Garros on June 3 and underwent surgery two days later in Paris.

Less than six weeks later, Djokovic wasn't at his best on Sunday – and Alcaraz certainly had something to do with it. “Especially in the first two sets, the level of tennis was not really on my side,” said Djokovic, whose two children were in his guest box. “He had it all today. I tried to push him. … It was not meant to be.”

Alcaraz was leading 5-4, 40-all in the third set when things got better for him. He dropped his first championship point with a double-fault, starting a five-fault streak that gifted the point – and the game – to Djokovic. There was a backhand that went awry. Forehand volley. A forehand. Another forehand. Djokovic breaks Alcaraz in all matches.

Suddenly it was 5 o'clock. Suddenly Alcaraz looked confused. Suddenly, Djokovic can hope. But Alcaraz earned a fourth match point in the ensuing tiebreaker and remained calm this time. Soon he was climbing from the stands to hug his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and others.

Just over 2 1/2 hours earlier, the opening game was shaping up to be a fascinating, back-and-forth and a long contest, perhaps with some worried about getting to the pub or bed in time to watch England. Spain will face Spain in the final of the Men's Soccer European Championship on Sunday night in Germany. Alcaraz, of course, loved to root.

All told, that game consisted of seven deuces and 20 points in a 14-minute span, with both men having shining moments. Djokovic running, sliding, stretching defense. Return the winner by Alcaraz. Alcaraz capitalized on his fifth break chance when he responded strongly to a 125 mph (202 kph) serve and drew a wide forehand from Djokovic.

That, until the third set, was the most competitive part of the proceedings. That's not to say there weren't hints of brilliance the rest of the way. Only the result was not really in dispute. Djokovic double-faulted to take a 5-1 lead in the first set with two breaks. He volleyed into the net to fall behind with a break to start the second game, then double-faulted.

This wasn't the body-contorting, get-to-everything that Djokovic is used to seeing everyone. There is his age, first of all, and his knee problem, which raised serious questions about whether it was even possible to compete at Wimbledon.

By his account, Djokovic felt pain-free in only his third or fourth match of the fortnight and was able to continue with his usual enthusiasm. On this partly cloudy afternoon, with temperatures hovering around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius), Djokovic occasionally jumped awkwardly as he served or stepped gently — as if with bare feet on hot beach sand — between points or watched some of Alcaraz's big groundstrokes. Fly past without chasing.

Djokovic often missed volleys and won just 27 of 53 points when he went forward. After netting a volley to close out an early 11-stroke exchange, Djokovic sighed and went to the seat beside him to grab a purple and green towel to wipe away the sweat. The expression on his face said: “Come on, Carlitos, pick someone your age.”

Alcaraz was excellent in everything, from the basics to the type of shots no one else could attempt, much less the pull off. Once, he jumped and wrapped the racket around his back to get the ball over the net, though Djokovic hit an overhead to win the point. Alcaraz raced to double alley for forehand winners. Points claimed by drop shots. Smacked serves up to 136 mph (219 kph). Collected 14 break points, converted five, faced just three, despite being up against Djokovic, considered by many to be the best returner.