The chess inside of Carlos Alcaraz

Game 10, set 5, Wimbledon 2023 final, Alcaraz stood at the most important moment of his career at the age of 20 when he was 0-15 lead. In the previous point, he dropped small but did not cross the net. After several durable balls, the Spaniard continued to drop and this time did not make a mistake. Djokovic went into the net to hit back, but immediately Alcaraz tipped the ball over the opponent's head and scored.

Many Wimbledon spectators stood up and raised their hands to applaud the young player's shot. On ESPN, tennis expert Spencer Hall also admired Alcaraz's coolness. "He hit the ball hard, when he forced the 36-year-old player to constantly go to the net to catch the small miss, and then to the end of the court to fight the tire," he said.

But the most expensive compliment to Alcaraz came from the opponent - the player who holds the record for winning the Grand Slam singles title. "It hurts me to lose this close match, but I have to admit the talent of Alcaraz," Djokovic said in a press conference after the game on Center Court (London, England). "He took great points at the pivotal moment. At the age of 20, Alcaraz managed to keep his cool, play attacking tennis and finish the game so well. I'm not bad at the game. last, but he hit the ball so well."

Tense matches like the last Wimbledon final can be decided in a few moments, and bravery can solve all. Another situation in set 5, game two, when Alcaraz served was 30-40 behind, and Djokovic took the initiative in the endurance series. The Serbian player repeatedly pressed Alcaraz, making the young opponent struggle to resist. Alcaraz's last shot sent the ball flying high and then falling near the net. Djokovic can wait for the ball to bounce, but the volleyer always sends the ball into the net, then leans on his hips to show disappointment.

If Djokovic wins that point, he will lead 2-0 in the fifth set and the match will likely play out under a different scenario. Or if Djokovic doesn't hit the net when he has a chance to win a tie-break in the second set, he will lead by two sets and Alcaraz will have a much harder time turning the situation around. The 20-year-old player himself admitted that if he lost that tie-break series, he could lose three sets.

Djokovic is known as the "king of winning backwards", but in about a year that title can be given to Alcaraz with the highlight of the last Wimbledon final when he won 1-6, 7-6(6), 6 -1, 3-6, 6-4. In the last 52 weeks, Alcaraz's win rate when losing the first set is up to 56.3%, with nine wins, seven losses. This parameter cannot be compared with Djokovic's record rate of 45% mentioned above, because the Serbian player has played for nearly 20 years. But in the same period, this index of Djokovic is 50% - lower than juniors, with four wins, four losses.

After each important point, Alcaraz usually points to his temple. This celebration is increasingly popular in the sports world, as football player Marcus Rashford has long done, as a reminder of the importance of psychology.

Alcaraz once admitted psychology was his strongest point, in another interview with the ATP two months later. "Improving fitness is necessary, but bravery is more important," he added. "I've improved a lot mentally, to win big games."

Alcaraz was right, because what he has done in the past year has shown great maturity. The Spaniard won the US Open 2022 and Wimbledon 2023. No one before the age of 20 has won two Grand Slams like him. Alcaraz is absent from the 2023 Australian Open due to injury, and lost to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of Roland Garros after suffering a cramp. Had it not been for the fitness problems, Alcaraz could have significantly increased the number of major titles.

It is no coincidence that Djokovic gave Alcaraz beautiful words after the Wimbledon final. "I've never met a player like Alcaraz," said the 23-year-old Grand Slam singles owner. "He has the qualities of Federer, Nadal and me. Alcaraz is the best player in the world."

How successful Alcaraz's career is is still a question mark, when there are so many factors affecting that. But in the immediate future, fans will be satisfied waiting for the top-notch competition between him and Djokovic. Between them is not only technical battles, but also psychological warfare talents.