Destination NBO powered by STM: Alcaraz Keeps…

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Welcome to Destination National Bank Open powered by STM. Every week, we will keep you updated on all the action on the ATP Tour as we build towards the National Bank Open in Montreal, which takes place from Aug. 3 to 12.

Days until the National Bank Open: 18

On-Court Action

A Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic final at Wimbledon, won by Alcaraz.

No, it’s not still 2023.

For the second year in a row, fans were treated to the same matchup in the men’s final at the All England Club and the ultimate outcome was the same, with the young Spaniard lifting the golden cup.

But how they got there was very different.

Unlike last year’s five-set epic, this final was all Alcaraz. The Spaniard delivered a masterclass, dominating one of the greatest returners of all time to pick up his fourth Grand Slam singles title with a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4) win.

In the process, he became just the sixth man to win the “Channel Slam,” claiming both Roland-Garros and Wimbledon in the same year. Alcaraz is the youngest of the bunch to have accomplished the feat, doing so at just 21 years old.

As wild as it might seem, he is now third among active men in major singles titles, passing Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka.

Despite having won the last two majors back-to-back, Alcaraz is still second in the Race to Turin behind world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who lost in the quarter-finals to Daniil Medvedev, who himself lost to the Spaniard.

The fact that Djokovic was even in the final was impressive less than 40 days removed from meniscus surgery and having arrived in London with many wondering if he would even play the Championships. But as he so often does, Djokovic was able to find a level few other possess, shaking off the rust and getting himself into a 10th Wimbledon final.

Even with his miraculous recovery from surgery, there was nothing he could do to stop Alcaraz in that final. The Serb still sits one Wimbledon title behind Roger Federer for the most by a man.

Stories to Watch

While there are always a couple of clay events in July between Wimbledon and the North American summer hard-court swing, this year those tournaments take on even more significance this year as they will serve as warm-up to the Olympics, which is being played on clay in Paris.

Three events are being contested on dirt this week: a 500 event in Hamburg, Germany that features Alexander Zverev and Holger Rune, a 250 in Gstaad, Switzerland that is led by Stefanos Tsitsipas and Félix Auger-Aliassime, and another 250 in Bastad, Sweden where Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud are the top two seeds.

Bastad also features one name of particular interest: Rafael Nadal.

The King of Clay is competing at his first event since Roland-Garros and is looking to get some matches in ahead of his return to Paris for the Olympics, where he will be playing singles and doubles with Carlos Alcaraz.

In Bastad, fans got to see a scoreboard in the first round featuring two of the most iconic names in tennis: Nadal and Borg. The 22-time major champion beat Leo Borg, son of 11-time slam winner Bjorn Borg, in his opening match.

The ATP's best return to Montreal this summer for the National Bank Open August 3 to 12, 2024 at IGA Stadium. 2024 Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!

Feature Photo: Martin Sidorjak