NEW YORK (AP) — In his first Grand Slam final, Carlos Alcaraz was in a hurry. After the coin toss, the Spaniard ran obsessively to the baseline to warm up. The referee called him back to the net after the pre-match photo was missing.
Three hours later, Alcalaz emerged from Arthur Ashe Stadium, but in another dimension.
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This 19-year-old Spanish prodigy’s precocious blend of courage and maturity puts him already at the pinnacle of tennis.
He won his first Grand Slam title and became the youngest man to be promoted by defeating Casper Ruud 6-4 2-6 7-6(1) 6-3 in Sunday’s US Open final. Ranking.
He made his eighth presentation at one of the four great tennis events and his second at the Cement in Flushing Meadows.
“It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid,” said Alcaraz, who is still a child at heart.
“I’ve worked so hard for it. It’s hard to speak now. There are so many emotions,” he added at the awards ceremony.
In the face of the eventual departure of the “Big Three” – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic – who have dominated the world over the past two decades, it could be the next great phenomenon in men’s tennis. is expected.
“He’s one of the few talents that shows up in sport from time to time,” said Ruud, a 23-year-old Norwegian. “It seems so. It remains to be seen how his career will evolve, but everything is going in the right direction.”
Faced with high backpack-laden expectations, Alcaraz responded with a gushing gush of “egg” as he took to himself to describe it in colloquial terms.
With the roof closed on this rainy Sunday, Alcalaz didn’t have to pack up to five sets like they did in the previous three rounds. But at times, the physical exhaustion of the past week indicated that I was incredibly tired.
He dropped the second set unappealing, with 2, 3 set points remaining and 6-5 in the third. However, his champion temperament resurfaced, lifting each and volleying unleashed delicacy on his return.
Ruud was the one to show fatigue in the tiebreak needed to end the set. Seeing an opportunity, Alcaraz ran full steam ahead in the moment to earn the first tiebreak of the entire tournament.
With only a break in the fourth set, Alcaraz won the first final in Slam history, pitting two players who were simultaneously aiming for the top of a computerized ranking started in 1973 and their first major championship. , was able to pave the way to victory.
“Both Carlos and I knew what was at stake,” Ruud said.
Ruud lost the Grand Slam final 0-2. He succumbed to Nadal in definition at the French Open in June.
“Hopefully these two experiences will help me. I also hope that if I reach the final of a Grand Slam, I will never run into a Spaniard again,” Ruud joked at a press conference. Said. “They know what they’re doing in the Slam finals. Be someone who’s not Spanish.”
The match ended with an open serve from Alcaraz that Rude was unable to return.
A year ago, in his first US Open, Alcaraz reached the quarterfinals. In this instance, he played against Felix Auger He Ariassime due to physical problems. Ranked 55th.
A year later, Alcaraz was just an indomitable gladiator.
He played five sets in round 16 against 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic, a duel that ended at 2:23 am. He then faced Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals, with Alcaraz saving his points in the match in his 5 hours and 15 minutes of touching battle that ended at 2:50 am. She also rowed five sets against Francis Tiafoe in the semifinals.
After winning his seventh in New York, Alcaraz lay on his back with his hands on his face.
Just completed 23 hours and 40 minutes in two memorable weeks.
“I always said you shouldn’t get tired in the last round. You have to leave everything on the track, everything inside,” commented Alcaraz.
How long can you stay on top?
As long as you don’t get hurt later, the Alcaraz has what it takes to keep you going for the long haul.
Beyond his personality facing big moments, his game is complete — a variety of heavy shots — he served 14 aces — and gazelle speed going for unreachable balls all over the court. And that he knows how to take risks was evident by winning his 34 of his 45 completed at the net.
He was the first teenage U.S. Open champion since Pete Sampras in 1990. No one has achieved it at another Grand Slam since compatriot Nadal was consecrated at the 2005 French Open. .
more. In this tournament, the last man to win the championship in the first or his second participation was Pancho Gonzalez in 1948, before professional contests were allowed.
Also, you should keep in mind some factors surrounding the current rankings.
Djokovic was unable to play at the US and Australian Opens as both countries did not allow Djokovic to compete because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19. After the invasion of Ukraine, the All England Club banned tennis players from Russia and Belarus, so no points were awarded, so he made no profit winning the Wimbledon title.
Regardless of all the circumstances, it’s still impressive that Alcaraz is the first teenager to reach the top of the rankings. None of the recent tennis legends who call themselves Nadal, Federer or Djokovic have achieved it.
“I try to be like them, even if just a little bit,” he said.
Alcaraz promises to never change anything in terms of attitude and ambition.
“As a person, it’s not so difficult for me to keep my feet on the ground. I will always be a boy,” he said. “I want to keep winning titles and staying at the top of tennis for as long as the Big 3 have done.
