The 19-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz enjoys his fourth week as world no. 1. Carlos is the first teenager on the ATP throne, achieving that following an incredible run at the US Open and his first Major trophy. The Spaniard admitted he never expected to get this far in 2022, wishing to crack the top-15 but achieving much more. Alcaraz started the season from just outside the top-30 and needed only four months to find himself in the top-10. Carlos won the ATP 500 titles in Rio de Janeiro and Barcelona and conquered his first Masters 1000 title in Miami. Not stopping there, the youngster lifted another Masters 1000 shield in front of the home fans in Madrid after beating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz came to the US Open as world no. 4 and saved a match point in the quarter-final thriller against Jannik Sinner.
Carlos Alcaraz never thought of becoming world no. 1 so quickly.
Carlos overpowered Frances Tiafoe in the semi-final and advanced into the first Major final. Alcaraz fought for the ATP throne and a Major title against Casper Ruud and scored a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3 victory in three hours and 20 minutes to write history books. Both players earned three breaks, and the Spaniard defended two set points at 5-6 in the third set to force a tie break and bring the victory home from there. The Spaniard claimed the opener with a single break, and the Norwegian took charge from 2-2 in set number two to rattle off four straight games and level the overall score. Casper had two set points on the return at 5-6, and Carlos saved them with winners to introduce a tie break. The youngster won it 7-1 and gained a massive boost ahead of the fourth. Alcaraz broke in the sixth game and served well in the rest of the clash to seal the deal to lift the trophy.
“I think I said at the beginning of the year that the goal was to be in the top-15. Now, I’m world no. 1, and I never thought it would come this fast. There are some big tournaments in front of me by the end of the season, and my goal is to compete at my best. I have not had enough time to understand what I did at the US Open. Honestly, I feel like I’m the same kid. Of course, it’s great to accomplish what I achieved at the US Open and become world no. 1, but I feel the same. It’s the tennis world, week after week, tournament after tournament. You have to keep focused on your goals and train,” Carlos Alcaraz said.