"Nick Kyrgios thinking he moves the needle" "Game changer was Carlos Alcaraz" - Fans react as 2023 Wimbledon final shows huge rise in viewership

Several tennis fans expressed their delight at hearing that Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic’s 2023 Wimbledon final garnered higher viewership numbers than the Serb’s 2022 final against Nick Kyrgios.

Alcaraz and Djokovic’s match on Sunday, July 16, was BBC’s most watched Wimbledon final in nearly a decade. It was rated just behind home-favorite Andy Murray’s victory over Milos Raonic in 2016, which was viewed by 13.3 million.

A peak of 11.3 million viewers tuned in to watch the thrilling contest between the Spaniard and the Serb on television. The match was streamed an additional 4.1 million times by BBC’s online audience.

A graph released by BBC showed a significant uptick in tennis viewership; the Alcaraz-Djokovic match even surpassed the numbers of the nail-biting 2019 Wimbledon final between Djokovic and Roger Federer, which peaked at 9.6 million viewers. It is, however, worth noting that the 2019 final also collided with the 2019 Cricket World Cup final, where England lifted the trophy.

The 2023 numbers were also significantly higher than the 2021 final between Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini (7.8 million) and the 2022 final between the Serb and Kyrgios (7.5 million).

Tennis fans took to social media to celebrate the sport's rise in popularity through a new generation of stars, led by Carlos Alcaraz.

“The game changer was Alcaraz. We definitely want to see the younger generation win grand slams,” one fan said.

Numerous fans teased Nick Kyrgios for his frequent statements proclaiming himself as the tennis player who attracts new fans to the sport.

“Carlos Alcaraz ending Nick Kyrgios is such a big Win. ATP tennis in way better shape than it was last year,” one fan remarked.

Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans:

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"It's great for the new generation, making them think they are capable as well" – Carlos Alcaraz on defeating Novak Djokovic in Wimbledon 2023 final

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships

Carlos Alcaraz ended Novak Djokovic’s five-year-long reign at Wimbledon by winning the 2023 final 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. The Serb was the four-time defending champion, and hadn’t lost a match at SW19 since 2018. He was also unbeaten on Centre Court since his final against Andy Murray in 2013.

Djokovic was on a 34-match winning streak, and was vying for a record eighth title at the event. With the generational battle concluding in his favor, 20-year-old Alcaraz acknowledged the significance of the occasion.

“It was great. Beating Novak Djokovic at his best, in this stage, making history, being the guy to beat him after 10 years unbeaten on that court, is amazing for me. It's something that I will never forget, that's for sure," he said in his post-match press conference.

When asked how the win would impact his generation of tennis players, the Spaniard said that while he won the match for himself, the result would motivate young players to trust their capabilities.

“Well, I did it for myself, not for tennis generation, honestly,” he said. “As I said, it's great for the new generation, as well, I think to see me beating him and making them think that they are capable to do it, as well. It's great for me and I think for the young players, as well.”

So far, Carlos Alcaraz is the first and only male player born in the 21st century to lift a Grand Slam title. The World No. 1 now has two Major trophies under his belt.