In pro wrestling terms, Carlos Alcaraz turned heel Friday in seconds. The defending Wimbledon champion basked in the cheers at Centre Court after clinching a berth in Sunday's final, only to turn around and take a subtle jab at the English crowd.
"It's going to be a really good day for Spanish people," Alcaraz said, referencing the Spain versus England Euro 2024 final, which is also scheduled for Sunday.
As the boos grew louder, Alcaraz clarified that he technically never predicted that the English would lose the Euro final.
"I didn't say Spain is going to win, I'm just saying it's going to be a really fun day," he said.
"I didn't say Spain is going to win, I'm just saying it's going to be a really fun day"
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2024
Carlos Alcaraz, ever the diplomat #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/s1HZQrN8ZC
Alcaraz's Wimbledon title defense is expected to start a few hours before the England versus Spain soccer match. However, if his match were to give sets, Alcaraz might still be on the court when his country battles against the Three Lions at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
The Spaniard is trying to become the first multi-time Wimbledon champion outside the "Big 4" in the 21st century. On Friday, he became the first since Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray to make the final of the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year in a quarter century.
STAT: Carlos Alcaraz is the first male singles player outside of the ‘Big 4’ to make the final of Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year in… *25 YEARS!*
— Olly (@Olly_Tennis_) July 12, 2024
pic.twitter.com/3xsRQowsVC
Widely hailed as Nadal's heir apparent, Alcaraz is on a similar trajectory as the 22-time major champion at this juncture of his career. At 21, he has already won three majors, getting off to a start comparable to Nadal's in the mid-2000s.
A fourth major win on Sunday would cement him as the flagbearer of the post-Big 4 era.
Rafa Nadal’s age when he first reached back to back Wimbledon finals…
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 12, 2024
21 years, 1 month, & 5 days.
Carlos Alcaraz’ age when he reached back to back Wimbledon finals…
21 years, 2 months, & 7 days.
pic.twitter.com/ldoiULUtHk
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