'Who's going to stop him?': '30-slam' call not so wild as 21yo freak ...

Carlos Alcaraz not only swept past Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, the charismatic Spaniard’s fourth Grand Slam triumph confirmed a generational shift in men’s tennis.

He has won three of the past five majors and has joined Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker and Mats Wilander as the only men to claim four majors at the age of 21 or under.

That is an achievement that proved beyond even Djokovic, the retired Roger Federer and injury-plagued Rafael Nadal, the three men who collected 66 Grand Slams in a golden age that appeared to have reached its end with defeat for the 37-year-old Serb on Sunday.

Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero once predicted that his compatriot would win 30 Grand Slams.

He already has a comfortable head start.

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Djokovic may have 24 Slams but after capturing his first at the 2008 Australian Open as a 20-year-old he had to wait three more years for his second.

Federer, who finished his career with 20 Slams, managed the 2003 Wimbledon title as a 21-year-old.

Alcaraz’s compatriot Nadal, the holder of 22 majors, had three at 21 — all at the French Open, in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Alcaraz’s Grand Slam collection currently comprises the 2022 US Open, the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon titles and last month’s triumph at the French Open.

He is yet to lose a Slam final and is only the sixth man to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon back-to-back.

His win in Paris last month made him the youngest man to claim majors on all three surfaces — clay, hard and grass — and before he turns 22 in May next year, he could move to six Slams.

Should he triumph for the first time in Australia he would depose Nadal as the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.

“I normally call Federer the greatest player of all time, and that has nothing to do with the statistics or the results,” Wilander told Eurosport.com.

“It has to do with what he meant for the sport, the expectations that people had. Carlos Alcaraz is going through the same thing.”

Much has been made of the new rivalry of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the beanpole Italian who took Djokovic’s Australian Open title and his world number one ranking this year.

However, Alcaraz, as well as being 21 months younger, has a better record at the Slams than Sinner, who won his maiden Slam in January.

Alcaraz enjoys a 5-4 head-to-head advantage over Sinner, including a five-set triumph in the semi-finals at Roland Garros this year.

“What he’s doing, having won the title at Roland Garros, flipping the switch to prepare on grass and reach the final, is scandalous,” said Ferrero.

“I really want to keep going, to keep improving, to keep growing up, try to keep winning. That’s all that matters for me right now,” Alcaraz said after the triumph.

“I don’t know what is my limit. I don’t want to think about it. I just want to keep enjoying my moment, just to keep dreaming.

“I want to sit at the same table as the big guys. That’s my main goal. That’s my dream right now.”

Alcaraz described the Serb as ‘Superman’ before the tournament started and said he had no reason to change his mind, especially as Djokovic had surgery on his knee just last month.

“I’m still believing that Novak is Superman because what he has done this tournament with a surgery just a few weeks before the tournament began,” Alcaraz continued.

“It is amazing. It is unbelievable. Honestly, as I said on court, I was talking to my team that the work that Novak has done has been unbelievable.”

Meanwhile, Djokovic insists he will return to Wimbledon next year and attempt to clinch an eighth All England Club title despite the straight-sets defeat.

“As far as coming back here, I would love to. I don’t have anything else in my thoughts right now that this is my last Wimbledon,” Djokovic said.

“I don’t have any limitations in my mind. I still want to keep going and play as long as I feel like I can play on this high level.”

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios tweeted: “Is this maybe the first time we can say the changing of the guard?”

Sporting icon Rod Laver posted: “Carlos Alcaraz’s triumph over a great champion like Novak Djokovic is a testament to his incredible talent, determination and composure under pressure. Carlos has cemented his place among the tennis greats with his brilliant performance today. Well done Carlos!”

Former Australian star Rennae Stubbs tweeted: “Wow Alcaraz is one special young talent! I never thought I would see a player as great as Novak, Rafa & Roger but there is no doubt in my mind this kid actually might get to 20 as well. Just phenomenal! Djokovic has set the bar so high and this kid is showing up for it.”

Alcaraz’s raw potential as a teenager quickly attracted sponsors, with marquee brands such as Nike and Rolex rushing to sign up Nadal’s heir apparent.

His win on Sunday has taken his career earnings to $35 million already.

“If Alcaraz stays healthy then he’ll go down as one of the best to ever play the game, that’s for sure. Who’s going to stop him?” Kyrgios said.