Wimbledon 2024 — What does the next generation of men’s tennis look like?

AFTER FOUR HOURS and 42 minutes of battle, Carlos Alcaraz fell to the grass and rolled over in celebration as the crowd roared. He had just done the previously unthinkable. He’d handed Novak Djokovic his first loss at Wimbledon since 2017 and won his second major title in the process. His combination of joy and disbelief was palpable.

Alcaraz had dreamed about beating Djokovic on Centre Court at the tournament since he first picked up a racket as a young boy. Now, it had come true.

Djokovic had been in search of his record-tying 24th major title and his eighth at Wimbledon, and he had been the heavy favorite to win the tournament. He appeared dazed as he slowly made his way to the net to congratulate Alcaraz, 16 years his junior and now a legitimate rival and serious obstacle in Djokovic’s quest for history.

It didn’t take long for the latest speculation about a changing of the guard in men’s tennis to begin. While Alcaraz didn’t add further fuel to that narrative during his news conference soon after, he did acknowledge the significance of what he had achieved for himself and his peers.

“It’s great for the new generation as well, I think, to see me beating him and making them think that they are capable to do it as well,” Alcaraz said after the match. “It’s great for me and I think for [all] the young players.”

But while others might have thought Djokovic’s time at the top was nearing its end, Djokovic had other plans. He earned his 24th major title at the US Open less than two months later. Having won three of the season’s major titles and the year-end ATP Finals, he ended the season at No. 1 and publicly stated his goal to win the “Golden Slam” (all four major titles and Olympic gold) in 2024.

Halfway through the 2024 season, the 37-year-old Djokovic is nowhere near where he wanted to be. Never mind majors — Djokovic has yet to win a title at any level this year, or even play in a final.

He lost in the semifinals at the Australian Open to Jannik Sinner and withdrew ahead of the quarterfinals at the French Open because of a torn medial meniscus in his right knee. He underwent surgery on June 6, leaving considerable doubt about his ability to play at Wimbledon, but he has been on the grounds practicing throughout the week. He told the BBC on Monday he would play only if he believed he had a chance to “fight for the title.”

While it’s looking increasingly like Djokovic will play, he is not the favorite to win…