In a break from tradition, Carlos Alcaraz opened this year’s Wimbledon Championships on Centre Court, a role typically reserved for the Big Four—Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, or Andy Murray. Making his debut in this prestigious position, the young Spanish champion faced Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal in a memorable match.
Alcaraz, a three-time Grand Slam winner, secured a hard-fought victory with a score of 7-6(3), 7-5, 6-2. Despite being heavily favored, he admitted to feeling the pressure of playing on such a revered stage.
“I’m really happy to get my first win on Centre Court this year,” Alcaraz said post-match. “I still get nerves and excitement a lot stepping on this court. It’s such a privilege. It’s the most beautiful court I’ve played on. I practised here for 45 minutes last Thursday and it’s the first time I’ve been nervous during a practice. Just walking around here I got goosebumps.”
Alcaraz praised Lajal, who was making his Grand Slam debut, for his performance. “He played a really good match,” Alcaraz noted. “Obviously it surprised me a little bit because I haven’t seen him too much. He has the level to go up a lot. I’m sure I’ll play against him more often.”
Reflecting on the match, Alcaraz acknowledged the challenges he faced. “During the match, the memories of last year came back a little bit but I tried not to think about it. That was a totally different tournament and I have to be focused on my game to achieve the same as last year.”
Despite early nerves, Alcaraz’s determination and skill ultimately led him to victory, marking a strong start to his Wimbledon campaign. As he continues to chase success on the grass courts, his humility and dedication remain evident.
In this memorable opening, both Alcaraz and Lajal left a lasting impression on the Centre Court crowd, showcasing the spirit and excitement of Wimbledon.
Alcaraz in Wimbledon, ranking, and results in 2024
WWWLWWWWWW Ranked world no.3, Alcaraz achieved a 27-6 win-loss record in 2024. Alcaraz is playing at the moment in Wimbledon where he ousted the world no.269 Mark Lajal 7-63 7-5 6-2.
Carlos Alcaraz will take on the world no.69 Aleksandar Vukic in the 2nd round. Their actual record is 1-0 for Vukic.
Alcaraz clinched 2 titles in 2024 in Indian Wells and French Open.
Alcaraz won 15 titles in his career: 4 on hard courts, 8 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Carlos Alcaraz |
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