Carlos Alcaraz has retained his Wimbledon title in sensational style after destroying 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic at the All England Club on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Spaniard produced almost perfect tennis in the first two sets, which left even a master craftsman such as Djokovic unable to find answers to the questions being asked by Alcaraz.
Djokovic, 16 years his opponent's senior, finally found a way back into the match in a thrilling third set but even then Alcaraz had wasted three championship points on his own serve with the score at 5-4.
But Alcaraz was not to be denied as he came out on top in a tense tiebreak, winning the match 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 to secure his fourth major title in just two hours and 27 minutes.
It was the first Wimbledon final to last only three sets since 2018 when Djokovic defeated Kevin Anderson by the exactly the same scoreline. This time, though, it was to be the Serbian to taste defeat and miss out on a record-equalling eighth title at the grass-court Slam against the man who beat him in last year's final.
“Honestly, it is a dream for me winning this trophy,” said Alcaraz, who went into the tournament on the back of winning the French Open. “I did an interview when I was 11 or 12 and said my dream is to win Wimbledon. I’m fulfilling my dream.
“For me this is the most beautiful tournament, the most beautiful court and the most beautiful trophy.
“When it was 40-0, I was seeming so far away, Djokovic is an unbelievable fighter, I knew he was going to have his chances. It was difficult but I tried to stay calm going into the tiebreak and tried to play my best tennis. I was glad at the end I could find the solutions.”
Alcaraz became the ninth man to retain his Wimbledon title in the Open era alongside Djokovic, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, John Newcombe and Rod Laver.
He is just the second man after Federer to win his first four Grand Slam finals, while he has outdone the great Swiss, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal by reaching that landmark before his 22nd birthday.
“It is a huge honour for me to be a part of those players,” Alcaraz added when told he was also only the sixth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year. “I'm really happy to be at the same table as Novak to do it. Huge champions. I don't consider myself a champion yet. Not like them. I try to keep going and building my path, my journey.”
Despite his obvious disappointment, the fact Djokovic was even in the final was remarkable considering the 37-year-old underwent knee surgery less than a month before the tournament started.
“It obviously was not the result I wanted but of course in the first couple of sets the level of tennis wasn’t up to par from my side,” admitted Djokovic. “But credit to Carlos for playing elite tennis, especially from the back of the court, he had it all today.
“It wasn’t meant to be, I tried to extend the match, but he was an absolute deserved winner today so congratulations for him.
“And to his team, of course, an amazing job you guys are doing, it’s a one- man show on the court but it's a big team of people. Everything you’ve done so far, 21 years of age is incredible, so keep going, we’ll see a lot of you I'm sure.
“Yes, of course, I have to be very proud,” he added: “Obviously there's a little disappointment right now as we’re talking 10 minutes after the match finished, but when I reflect I'm sure the last four, five weeks and really what I've been through along with my team and family, I have to say I'm very satisfied.”
Alcaraz also praised Djokovic for his efforts in reaching the final. “I'm so nervous in this speech and I forgot to have some words for Novak and his team,” he said. “It's been a difficult few weeks for you.
“You had surgery after the French Open and you didn't know if you could make the tournament and you made the final.
“It is something difficult to realise that you played points and matches just two weeks after your surgery. Great job and keep going.”
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Company%20profile
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MIDWAY
Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
The top two teams qualify for the World Cup
Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place playoff
The%20stats%20and%20facts
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
