Carlos Alcaraz powered to victory over an out-of-sorts Novak Djokovic in a bewildering final to retain his men’s singles title at Wimbledon here on Sunday.

A repeat of last year’s showpiece, it failed to live up to the five-set thriller of 12 months ago as Djokovic appeared mostly helpless against the dominant Spaniard.

After squandering three championship points when trying to serve out the victory, Alcaraz held his arms aloft after battling through the third-set tie-break for a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) win.

“Honestly, it is a dream for me winning this trophy,” said Alcaraz. “I did an interview when I was 11 and I said my dream is to win Wimbledon.”

Gracious in defeat, Djokovic shared a smile and warm embrace with Alcaraz at the net after the comprehensive defeat.

For a second straight year, Djokovic was attempting to equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon men’s titles. The 24-time major winner was also trying to move ahead of Margaret Court to take sole ownership of the all-time record for the most grand slam singles titles.

As tradition now dictates, Alcaraz climbed up to the players’ box and was embraced by his team and family, celebrating a 14th consecutive match win at Wimbledon.

The result continues the four-time major winner’s 100 per cent record in grand slam finals, while he becomes the youngest man to win at Wimbledon and the French Open in the same year.

The final — played in front of a Centre Court crowd that included Kate, the Princess of Wales, in a rare public appearance since announcing she has cancer — was much easier for Alcaraz.

The Spaniard won his first Slam title at the 2022 US Open as a teenager, and no man ever has collected more Slam hardware before turning 22 than he has. He improved to 4-0 in major finals.

The 37-year-old Djokovic, wearing a gray sleeve on his surgically repaired right knee, was denied in his bid for an eighth Wimbledon title and record 25th major overall.

He tore his meniscus at Roland Garros on June 3 and had an operation in Paris two days later. Less than six weeks later, Djokovic was hardly at his best on Sunday — and Alcaraz certainly had something to do with that.

“Especially in the first couple of sets, the level of tennis wasn’t really up to par on my side,” said Djokovic, whose two children were in his guest box. “He had it all today. I tried to push him. ... It wasn’t meant to be.”

Alcaraz was up 5-4, 40-love in the third set when the occasion got the better of him. He frittered away his first championship point with a double-fault, beginning a run of five mistakes by him that donated points — and that game — to Djokovic. There was a backhand that went awry. A forehand volley. A forehand. Another forehand. That was the only time all match that Djokovic broke Alcaraz.

Suddenly, it was 5-all. Suddenly, Alcaraz appeared rattled. Suddenly, Djokovic could hope.

But in the ensuing tie-breaker, Alcaraz earned his fourth match point and stayed cool as can be this time. Soon he was climbing through the stands to hug his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and others.