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This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, the ultimate guide to every day in sports. You can sign up here every weekday morning to get it delivered to your inbox.
Good morning to everyone, but especially to…
CARLOS ALCARAZ…
He stumbled and then took off. He fell back to earth and then fought. He came back and conquered.
alcaraz is the king of the grass after dethronement Novak Djokovic 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 inches glorious way to win Wimbledon in an epic final. It is the 20-year-old Spaniard’s second Grand Slam title after last year’s US Open, in which Djokovic did not play.
- After being overpowered in the first set, Alcaraz entered an early break in the second, though gave it back shortly after. Djokovic won the first three points of the tiebreak, but Alcaraz won five of the next six and later took the set with a strong backhand past a charging Djokovic.
- Alcaraz took the third set, but Djokovic reacted – after leaving the field – with a neat fourth set.
- In the fifth set, Alcaraz got another early break and held his serve the rest of the way, falling to the field with his head in his hands in winning the championship point.
- The game, which lasted 4:42, was the third longest final in Wimbledon history.
It may not seem like a shock that the world’s No. 1 player claimed Wimbledon, but consider…
- Djokovic came in with won each of the last four Wimbledon men’s titles and a total of 34 consecutive Wimbledon matches.
- Djokovic did won a record 45 consecutive matches on Center Court at the All England Club. His last loss there was in 2013 to Andy Murray.
- Djokovic had won 15 consecutive tiebreaks at majors, also a record. If Alcaraz hadn’t somehow crawled out of a 0-3 gap in that second set tiebreak, we’re probably talking about Djokovic as champion again.
- Alcaraz is the first player not named Djokovic, Murray, Federer or Nadal to win Wimbledon ever since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002. (Alcaraz wasn’t even born yet.)
Instead, we’re talking about the emerging force that is Carlos Alcaraz. The speed, the power, the competitive spirit, the composure beyond his age. He is the third youngest Wimbledon men’s champion in the Open Era behind him Boris Becker And Bjorn Borg.
Time will tell if it’s a true passing of the torch, but given that this was only Alcaraz’s fourth grass court tournament of his career, it’s a great achievement. Djokovic himself admitted after the match that he knew he would have problems with Alcaraz on clay and maybe on hard courts. Now he — and the rest of the world — will add grass to the list.
AND ALSO TO MARKÉTA VONDDOUŠOVÁ …
She made a lot of history on the women’s side. Marketa Vondrousova is the first unseeded woman to capture the Women’s Singles Championship of a 6-4, 6-4 win about Our Jabour.
- Vondroušová converted six of seven break chances by taking advantage of Jabeur’s unsteady serve.
- Vondrousova Real came out of nowhere: her only other WTA title came in 2017 at her second WTA event when she was just 17 years old. She had never progressed past the second round at Wimbledon.
- Jabeur, meanwhile, fell in the Wimbledon final for the second consecutive year. She is still looking for her first hit.
Honorable Mentions
Not so honorable mentions
🏈 DeAndre Hopkins signs with Titans
SATISFACTION
After a month and a half of free agency, Andre Hopkins has a new home: the five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver plans to sign with the Titans.
- The deal is reportedly for two years and $26 million. Hopkins, 31, was issued By the Cardinals in late May and had strong interest from the Titans and patriots, among other things.
- Hopkins played just nine games last year, but averaged 7.1 receptions (fourth in NFL) and 79.7 receiving yards (10th in NFL).
- Hopkins has missed 15 of 34 games over the past two seasons due to injuries and suspension.
- According to SportsLine projections, Hopkins increases Tennessee’s playoff odds from 31.2% to 37.7%.
Hopkins is a huge boost for an offense that includes quarterback Ryan Tannehill and run back Dirk Hendrik but lacks proven weapons in the passing game. CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin says Hopkins will immediately be Tannehill’s main targetand our Jamey Eisenberg broke the fantasy impact of his signature:
- Eisenberg: “It’s obviously not the most ideal situation for him. Kyler Murray was a good fantasy quarterback and the numbers have obviously been great for Hopkins the past three seasons at Arizona when he was healthy and on the field and unsuspended. The Titans’ passing attack isn’t the most dynamic. … He will still be a top-24 receiver, but a No. 2; he will no longer be ranked as a number 1 receiver for me. So not someone I’m drafting until probably round 5.”
🏌 Rory McIlroy wins thrilling Scottish Open as The Open approaches
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Rory McIlroy has just achieved one of the most magical highlights of his career. Now he hopes it will be handed over in six days – about 300 kilometers south in a place he won before. McIlroy made dramatic birdies on both 17 and 18 to beat the home nation’s crowd favorite Robert McIntyre by a stroke as he rose to the top of the standings to win the Scottish Open.
Next: The Open Championship.
- After a beautiful birdie on the 18th to make him the clubhouse leader at 14 under, MacIntyre could only watch McIlroy get to work. Rory hit a dart on the 17th and made the birdie putt to tie the lead.
- On the 18th, McIlroy tore a 205-yard 2-iron downwind to about 10 feet And sunk the putt for the 24th PGA Tour triumph of his outstanding career and second this season.
Although it seems to be a perfect preparation for The Open Championship, only one player has logged both events in the same year: Phil Mickelson in 2013. Still, McIlroy’s most recent big win, the 2014 Open Championship, was in the same place it’s being held this year (Royal Liverpool), so there are plenty of reasons for him to be confident when he returns, writes CBS Sports’ Patrick McDonald .
As of today, we have coverage of all angles leading up to The Open Championship here.
🏀 NBA Summer League winners and losers
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The NBA Summer League is funny. One or two good performances, and a player is suddenly destined to become a star; one or two bad performances, and they’re destined to be a failure. It is necessary to keep things in perspective. Still, you only get one chance to make a first impression, and CBS Sports’ Colin Ward-Henninger shared are Summer League winners and losers. Here’s how the top picks fared:
- Victor Wembanyama (1), Spurs — WINNER — “Wembanyama showed us everything that makes him one of the greatest talents in NBA history: shot blocking, shot making, and the ability to influence games in seemingly every way.”
- Brandon Miller (2), Hornets — LOSER — Miller ended the summer on a high, however, with 26 points and six rebounds on 8-for-15 shooting against the Blazers for the Hornets shut it down.”
- Scoot Henderson (3), Trail Blazers and Amen Thompson (4), Rockets — LOSERS — Injured.
There is another 7-foot all-rounder not named Wembanyama WHO also earned winner status.
- Ward Henninger: “Winner: Chet Holmgren — Not only did last year’s No. 2 look healthy and sprightly (he said his foot “feels great”, and if he didn’t have the scar, he wouldn’t even remember having surgery), but he also showed his intriguing, versatile skills. … He’ll be an instant borderline elite rim protector who can finish on the rim and facilitate from the top of the key.
I can’t wait for the Thunder this season.
📺 What we’re watching on Monday
🏀 Rockets vs. Cavaliers9 p.m. ET on ESPN
⚾ Twins in Mariners9:40 p.m. ET on FS1
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