US Open: Carlos Alcaraz - the child prodigy at the goal of his dreams
Carlos Alcaraz did it. The 19-year-old is the new title holder of the US Open and number one in the world.
by SID
last edit: Sep 12, 2022, 08:14 am
Carlos Alcaraz shyly lifted the mighty silver cup into the New York evening sky and hugged his latest trophy in love: The 19-year-old Spanish exceptional talent stormed to win the title at the US Open and is the first teenager to jump to the top of the world rankings.
Alcaraz prevailed 6: 4, 2: 6, 7: 6 (1), 6: 3 against the Norwegian Casper Ruud in New York on Sunday and celebrated the very special double strike with great emotion. "Ever since I've been playing, I've dreamed of winning a Grand Slam and becoming number one," said Alcaraz: "It's hard for me to talk about it."
Alcaraz youngest number one in history
With this, the high-flyer once again smashed previous records. So far, the Australian Lleyton Hewitt at 20 years and nine months was the youngest number one in the world in the history of the ATP ranking since 1973. After Pete Sampras in 1990, Alcaraz is also the second teenager since the introduction of professional tennis in 1968 to win the US Open and the youngest Grand Slam tournament title holder since Rafael Nadal's triumph in Paris in 2005.
Nadal was also among the first to congratulate: "Congratulations on your first Grand Slam win and number one, which is the culmination of your first great season. I'm sure there will be many more to come."
Ruud "disappointed of course"
Ruud, who had already been in the final at the French Open and is now second in the world rankings, again missed the chance to become the first Norwegian to win a major title and take the lead in the world rankings. Three Scandinavians have greeted from the top so far - they were all Swedes in Björn Borg, Stefan Edberg and Mats Wilander. "Of course I'm disappointed that I won't be number one," said Ruud: "I'll keep trying to win a Grand Slam."
Alcaraz had played 20 hours and 19 minutes on his difficult way to the final. And in the course of the match he broke the previous record of South African Kevin Anderson at Grand Slams, which was 23:20 hours since Wimbledon 2018. Accordingly, one of the big questions was how much the hardships, especially the sensational quarter and semi-final matches against Jannik Sinner (Italy) and Frances Tiafoe (USA), had an impact. And how it was ordered to the nerves of both professionals.
Better start for the Spaniard
"Now is not the time for me to be tired," Alcaraz said immediately before stepping onto the pitch. "I'm trying to enjoy the final," said Ruud before the game, which was led by German referee Nico Helwerth: "I may have to play the best tennis of my life."
The match on the day after the women's final, in which the Pole Iga Swiatek was crowned the three-time Grand Slam winner with a 6:2, 7:6 (7:5) against the Tunisian Ons Jabeur, started competitively with slight advantages for Alcaraz. He kept flashing his special athleticism, acted more offensively and finally got through an early break.
But Ruud stayed tuned and Alcaraz showed the first signs of a somewhat cracked physique. His stroke selection got worse and the Norwegian didn't have to be asked twice and equalized after sets. Tactics now played an increasingly important role and Ruud seemed to sense that Alcaraz was no longer able to walk as quickly, but was unable to use two set balls and the wildly fighting Spaniard snapped in the tie-break.
Alcaraz wanted to know now and put Ruud under heavy pressure. He made the break to make it 4:2 and was then unstoppable on the way to the title.
Here the individual tableau in New York
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