Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz Wimbledon Journey, He is currently ranked number one in the world, secured a comfortable victory in the first round of Wimbledon against Jeremy Chardy, who announced his retirement from singles competition. Alcaraz, the reigning champion of the US Open, displayed dominant performance throughout the match, defeating his 36-year-old opponent with a score of 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 in under two hours on Court One.
The 20-year-old Alcaraz limited Chardy to just seven games, showcasing his impressive skills on the court. Chardy, a Frenchman who reached the round of 16 in 2014, had already stated that Wimbledon would mark the end of his singles career.
Reflecting on his performance, Alcaraz stated, “I played really well, and Chardy had some difficulties in the first set. I’m thrilled to have played at such a high level and to have progressed. It’s truly special to compete here, and I’m grateful for the support from the crowd.”
Chardy, participating in his 14th Wimbledon, previously achieved a ranking as high as 25th in the world. Prior to the match, he acknowledged the generational difference between himself and Alcaraz, remarking, “He’s from a different generation considering I’m nearly twice his age. This week is emotional for me as it marks my final singles tournament, so it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to play against him.”
Alcaraz, who won the Queen’s championship, is aiming to become the third-youngest player in the Open Era to win the men’s singles title at Wimbledon. The current record holders are Boris Becker, who triumphed at 17 years old in 1985, and Bjorn Borg, who achieved the feat at 20 years old in 1976.
In the first two sets, Alcaraz displayed a near-flawless performance, overpowering Chardy with his serve and capitalizing on his opponent’s double faults at crucial moments. Alcaraz swiftly claimed the first set in just 22 minutes and broke Chardy’s serve in the opening game of the second set, establishing his dominance in the match.
Chardy managed to win his first game in the second set, receiving a warm reception from the Court One crowd for his effort. Despite being two sets down, Chardy showed resilience in the third set, breaking Alcaraz’s serve in the sixth game. However, the Spaniard quickly regained control, breaking Chardy’s serve in the 11th game and ultimately serving out the match.
In the second round, Alcaraz will face either Alexandre Muller, currently ranked 84th in the world, or Arthur Rinderknech, who holds a slightly higher position at 82nd.
