The 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz wrapped up the previous season as the youngest year-end no. 1 player. Carlos lost the ATP throne to Novak Djokovic following the Australian Open, skipping the season’s first Major due to an injury. The Spaniard is back at the top again following Sunday’s Masters 1000 crown in Indian Wells. Carlos added 1000 ATP points to his tally (640 clear ATP points as the last year’s semi-finalist) and took the ATP throne from Djokovic. Carlos stands 260 points clear of Novak and will have to defend the Miami Open title in the next two weeks to remain the leader of the pack ahead of the clay swing. Suppose Alcaraz fails to win the Miami title. In that case, Djokovic will compete in Monte Carlo as world no. 1. The Spaniard missed three months due to injuries, skipping the ATP Finals and the Australian Open for a significant setback.
Carlos Alcaraz is world no. 1 again, taking the throne from Novak Djokovic.
However, he bounced back on clay in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, winning one title from two finals and earning a chance to pass the Serb with the Indian Wells title. Carlos conquered the desert in style, winning all six matches in straight sets to add the third Masters 1000 crown to his impressive tally at 19 years. Alcaraz made a convincing start against Thanasi Kokkinakis and earned his 100th ATP victory against Tallon Griekspoor. Jack Draper retired in the second set in the fourth round, and the Spaniard set the quarter-final clash against Felix Auger-Aliassime. Seeking his first win over the Canadian, the Spaniard prevailed 6-4, 6-4 to advance into the semi-final and arrange another thrilling meeting with Jannik Sinner.
Carlos scored a 7-6, 6-3 win for a place in the final, saving a set point on serve in the opener’s 12th game and controlling the scoreboard after that to move through. An in-form Daniil Medvedev stood between Alcaraz and the ATP throne, with the Russian seeking the 20th consecutive win and the fourth title in five weeks! Instead, Carlos delivered a dominant 6-3, 6-2 victory in 70 minutes to lift the trophy and earn enough points to pass Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz started his 21st week as world no. 1, leaving Mats Wilander on 20 and targeting Ilie Nastase’s 40. With no signs of an injury, Carlos should be among the players to beat for the rest of the season, especially if he repeats his level from Indian Wells.