Novak Djokovic could only praise his conqueror. There was not much more he could do.

Beaten on a court he had all but made his own by a man who was playing only his fourth event on a grass court, the mighty former champion could only offer respect and congratulation.

“I thought I would have trouble with you only on clay, and maybe hard court, but now it’s a different story from this year, obviously,” Djokovic had said on court of Carlos Alcaraz, trying to raise a smile in what was a bitterly disappointing moment.

For nearly five hours the defending champion had tried to hang on to his title but, in the end, the Spaniard took it from him.

It hurt all the more because Djokovic knew he had had his chances. He had the early lead in the second set tie-break and lost it. He had a set point and fluffed a backhand. He was close but the younger man was closer.

“I have some regrets,” Djokovic said. “I had my chances. I think I could have closed out that second-set tie-breaker better. But credit to him for fighting and showing some incredible defensive skills, passing shots that got him the break in the fifth. He was a deserved winner today, no doubt.”

But how had Alcaraz done this to the mighty Djokovic? After all, the Serb has spent the better part of the past 20 years doing battle with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Surely Alcaraz cannot be at their level? Not so early in his career.

“I think people have been talking in the past 12 months or so about his game consisting of certain elements from Roger, Rafa, and myself,” Djokovic began. “I would agree with that. I think he's got basically best of all three worlds.

“He's got this mental resilience and, really, maturity for someone who is 20 years old. It's quite impressive. He's got this Spanish bull mentality of competitiveness and fighting spirit and incredible defence that we've seen with Rafa over the years.

“And I think he's got some nice sliding backhands that he's got some similarities with my backhands. Yeah, two-handed backhands, defence, being able to adapt. I think that has been my personal strength for many years. He has it, too.

"I haven't played a player like him ever, to be honest. Roger and Rafa have their own, obviously, strengths and weaknesses. Carlos is a very complete player. Amazing adapting capabilities that I think are a key for longevity and for a successful career on all surfaces.”

That did not sound too promising for Djokovic’s future chances. But the wily old campaigner will learn from his loss and young Carlitos may find him a different competitor when next they meet. If this was going to develop into a rivalry, it could warm up quickly.

“He's going to be on the Tour for quite some time. I don't know how long I'll be around,” Djokovic said. “It's been only three matches that we played against each other. Three really close matches. Two already this year in later stages of Grand Slams.

“I hope we get to play in US Open. Why not? I think it's good for the sport, No.1 and No.2 in the world facing each other in almost a five-hour, five-set thriller. Couldn't be better for our sport in general, so why not?”

What he did not say – what he did not have to say – was that next time he would not miss his chances, not if there was breath in his body.

That is how he has won 23 Grand Slam titles and how, when he comes back to Wimbledon next year, he will still have his gaze locked on to the trophy from the moment he walks through the gates.

Alcaraz is good and Djokovic knows it. But Djokovic is not half bad, either. And everyone knows it.

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