Wimbledon 2023 | Ruthless, Carlos Alcaraz sends Jérémy Chardy to retirement

He knew it, the challenge was immense. And the task quickly proved impossible for Jérémy Chardy on Tuesday under the closed roof of Court 1 due to the rain. A few days after announcing that he would retire after this Wimbledon tournament, the 36-year-old Palois, 542nd in the world, had his last match against world number 1 Carlos Alcaraz who did not show feelings. The Murcian thus largely won (6-0, 6-2, 7-5) in less than two hours of play (1h53 precisely) in the 1st round. Another Frenchman is waiting for him in his next match: Arthur Rinderknech or Alexandre Müller.

He will remember his last thrill as a professional player. Because despite a catastrophic start, Jérémy Chardy was able to revolt in an interesting third set to bow out. The French veteran may even have believed that he would prolong the pleasure when he seized the opposing engagement for the first and only time (6-0, 6-2, 2-4), but “Carlitos” closed the door to remove five of the last six games.

Ultra-tense, Chardy nevertheless managed to finish with dignity

Not here to string pearls, the young Spaniard had first put his opponent through hell: a “bubble” inflicted in about twenty minutes and even eight games scored in a row, before Chardy stopped the bleeding ( 6-0, 2-1) to a standing ovation. That is to say if the French had no way to go. It must be said that, strained by the occasion, he also gave the stick to be beaten with 7 double faults in the first set alone because of major problems throwing the balls.

A clumsiness not so surprising when you know that the Palois had only played four matches (including three defeats) this season before this last meeting. But he was therefore able to relax in the third set, taking more initiatives in the forehand, countering his opponent instinctively, using his backhand slice as well. But it was only an adventure for Alcaraz, author of a convincing debut (37 winning strokes for 14 unforced errors) in this Wimbledon 2023.