Wimbledon came to a close as Carlos Alcaraz pulled off the seemingly impossible to dethrone Novak Djokovic after four consecutive wins in England.
There have been many things to take away from the competition, from Liam Broady’s sensational upset to Katie Boulter putting her name on the map in her home country.
However, the Brits all crashed out early, but there were still so many highs at the tournament.
While there was one clear winner for best match of the whole tournament.
Mail Sport have taken a look at the highs and the lows from Wimbledon this year.
Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in the Men’s Singles at Wimbledon this year
The 20-year-old impressed on Centre Court as he beat Djokovic, who is 16 years older
The Serbian was full of praise for his 20-year-old opponent as he was dethroned at Wimbledon
Most welcome addition
It is easy for young athletes in any sport, perhaps tennis in particular, to feel ground down by the daily stresses and the pressure upon them to deliver.
Therefore it was refreshing to witness American Christopher Eubanks emerge from left field to make the quarter-finals. His sheer joy at being out there made him instantly popular, and was a reminder to all that this really is not such a bad life.
The Russians were coming
By and large the Russian and Belarusian contingent were politely received and given a fair hearing by the Wimbledon public. The All England Club will be relieved that activists made surprisingly little noise around the tournament. It helped that the Ukrainian women, buoyed by support, performed well.
Imponderables
A number of what ifs in this tournament, two in particular. If the Andy Murray versus Stefanos Tsitsipas match had not been called off for the night you suspect that the Scot would have won, and it could have opened up a deep run for the twice champion in a decent part of the draw.
Ons Jabeur’s chances were hit by the women’s final being played indoors due to windy (but dry) weather. The roof is a godsend in a rain-hit year, but it always throws up questions as well.
The shape of things to come
While Novak Djokovic is the immovable object at the top of the men’s game, the shape of the future is undoubtedly forming. Denmark’s Holger Rune displayed his rapid improvement, while Italy’s Jannik Sinner ran the Serb closer than the score suggested in the semi-final.
Women’s tennis still craves a standout player from its swollen ranks of Americans, and the jury remains out on whether that will be Coco Gauff.
Christopher Eubanks emerged as one of the young stars of the tournament this year
If Andy Murray versus Stefanos Tsitsipas had not been called off it could have been different
Best match
Elina Svitolina’s sudden death tiebreak win against Victoria Azarenka as the light faded on the middle Sunday showed that a personal edge makes for the best sporting drama. The only singles contest that pitted a Ukrainian against a player from an aggressor nations lived up to its billing. The lack of handshake was understandable, the booing of Azarenka less so, but it made for great theatre.
Absent friends
Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios were a miss at Wimbledon and so were Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper. The latter is, happily, back in training, the vibes around the former are less encouraging. If they can stay fit and motivated then they should make an impact next year.
Centre Court shenanigans
It remains a wonderful arena, unique in its appeal. A pleasure of Wimbledon is that people are trusted to have a drink responsibly. But we can do without oafs popping champagne corks in the middle of the games.
And as last year, it is not good enough that the All England Club members’ sections are so often half-empty on the show courts, when everywhere else is pretty much full.
Nick Kyrgios couldn’t return in time for Wimbledon this year and he was sorely missed
Unsung Hero
Yorkshire umpire Richard Haigh had the grit to call out Novak Djokovic for a grunting hindrance in the semi-final, and a time violation in the same game.
The Serb is not a regular offender in the former category but the call was nonetheless correct.
Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas came close to completing a brilliant love story
The Brits
A decent showing in the supplementary events, but broadly a letdown when it most mattered. Wimbledon is better when the Brits do passably well.
Too much information
Paula Badosa on her boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas: ‘I never dream about tennis players, but I dreamt about him that night, that we were both winning the Australian Open.
Then it was like we were having a very romantic moment, but I’m not going to explain. I’m just going to leave it there.’