Page 16 - aruba-today-20230719

A16 SPORTS
Wednesday 19 July 2023

Alcaraz’s Wimbledon title shows he is exactly who everyone

thought he was

By HOWARD FENDRICH sessment was relayed to
AP Tennis Writer the No. 1-ranked Alcaraz,
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) his eyes widened and he
— Novak Djokovic knows exhaled under the white
a thing or two about the bucket hat that became
talents and intangibles re- his trademark news confer-
quired to win big matches ence accessory.
against the best players. Alcaraz was asked how he
He’s been in 35 Grand Slam would describe himself.
finals. He’s won 23 of them. “It’s crazy that Novak
He played Rafael Nadal (would) say that, honestly.
and Roger Federer a total But I consider myself a re-
of 109 times, with head-to- ally complete player. I
head edges against both. think I have the shots, the
He went 9-5 against them strength physically, the
in title matches at majors. strength mentally, enough
So it seemed only natural to (handle) these situa-
to ask Djokovic to whom tions,” he said. “Probably
he’d compare the new he’s right. But I don’t want
star of men’s tennis Carlos to think about it. ... I’m ‘full
Alcaraz after losing to him Carlos Alcaraz,’ let’s say,
across five sets and more but probably I have some
than 4 1/2 hours brimming great ability from every
with brilliant play and dra- Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz celebrates with the trophy after beating Serbia’s Novak Djokovic to win player.”
matic moments in the Wim- the final of the men’s singles on day fourteen of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Living up to expectations is
bledon final on Sunday. Sunday, July 16, 2023. never easy, and so much
“People have been talking Associated Press has been expected of Al-
in the past 12 months or so Left there, that would stand rity for someone who is 20 tacked on what he sees of caraz. Somehow, he is liv-
about his game consisting out as a rather striking en- years old. It’s quite impres- himself in the youngster. ing up to all the hype.
of certain elements from dorsement of the preco- sive,” said Djokovic, who “He’s got some nice slid- He brings abundant ath-
Roger, Rafa and myself. cious Alcaraz, a Spaniard had won Wimbledon four ing backhands that (have) leticism, quickness, strength
I would agree with that,” who won the U.S. Open last years in a row and seven some similarities with my and reflexes to the game.
Djokovic began, the bitter- year and now is one of just times in all. “He’s got this backhands. Two-handed He is equipped with a
ness of the 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, five men to collect multiple ‘Spanish bull’ mentality of backhands. Defense. Be- booming forehand and
3-6, 6-4 defeat, and the Grand Slam trophies before competitiveness and fight- ing able to adapt. That has the touch to implement the
end of his reign at the All turning 21. ing spirit and incredible de- been my personal strength softest of drop shots.
England Club, still sharp. Then Djokovic got into spe- fense that we’ve seen with for many years,” Djokovic He produced more than
“I think he’s got basical- cifics. “He’s got this mental Rafa over the years.” said. “He has it, too.” twice as many winners as
ly (the) best of all three resilience and, really, matu- With a smile, Djokovic When the gist of that as- Djokovic on a windy after-
worlds,” Djokovic said. noon, 66 to 32. q

Cleveland Browns swapping their logo-less orange helmets for white

ones in three games this season

By TOM WITHERS an orange and brown seasons in the NFL they to the orange shell for the NFL in 1950 and winning a
AP Sports Writer stripe down the middle. merged from the All-Amer- 1952 season. title in their first year with
CLEVELAND (AP) — The The Browns wore plain white ica Football Conference “We’re super fired up and a roster that included Hall
Cleveland Browns are helmets during their first six in 1950 before switching really excited to have this of Famers Otto Graham,
shelving those classic lo- opportunity to wear an al- Marion Motley, Lou Groza,
go-less orange helmets for ternate helmet,” said ex- Bill Willis, Mac Speedie and
three games this season. ecutive vice president JW Dante Lavelli.
With a nod to their storied Johnson. “We decided to Cleveland’s orange hel-
past, the Browns will wear go with the white helmet met, which is the only one
white helmets for the first for a couple reasons it har- in the league without a
time since 1951. kens back to our past, and logo, has long been a topic
Cleveland will break out a a lot of our greatest play- of debate among Browns
retro, all-white look white ers wore white helmets. We fans.
helmets, jerseys, and pants also heard from our fans Some love it, while oth-
Week 2 (Sept. 18) in Pitts- that it was the direction ers have longed for the
burgh, at home in Week 6 they wanted.” team to make a dramatic
(Oct. 15) against San Fran- Last year, the NFL began change.
cisco and again in Week 17 allowing teams to wear an The team recently unveiled
(Dec. 28) against the New alternate helmet. a new logo for the Dawg
York Jets in the regular-sea- The Browns won four Pound the team’s notori-
son home finale. Cleveland Browns NFL football player Marion Motley is shown straight AAFC champion- ous bleacher section that
The new helmets include Dec. 5, 1948, in Cleveland. ships before joining the was voted on by fans.q
Associated Press