By Victor Kanayo
Latest US Open winner Carlos Alcaraz is now World tennis number one after winning a Grand Slam, a major title his growing and glowing career.
The feat makes him the youngest men’s world number one in history.
The Spaniard defeated Casper Ruud in four sets, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1) 6-3, to not only win the US Open,
but also become the new world No. 1.
The 19-year-old, so often referred to as a ‘rising star’ is certainly no longer that after he claimed his maiden major title at Flushing Meadows and usurped Daniil Medvedev atop the ATP world rankings.
“It’s crazy for me. I never thought I was going to achieve something like this at 19 years old,” he said.
Rafael Nadal said he was sure it would be the “first of many” for Alcaraz.
The 36-year-old Spaniard, who has won a record 22 men’s singles major titles, congratulated his compatriot shortly after he sealed victory at Flushing Meadows.
Ruud, 23, would have become the new world number one if he had won, but has now lost both of his two major finals.
Instead it is Alcaraz who replaces Russia’s Daniil Medvedev at the top, becoming the first teenager to climb to the summit in the 49-year history of the ATP rankings.
After hitting a routine forehand long on his first championship point, Alcaraz took his second with a service winner out wide and instantly fell flat on his back in celebration in New York.
Alcaraz, who saved two set points in the third which would have put Ruud ahead, ran up to his team in the stands and danced with them in a huddle, before returning to his seat where he was crying at the same time as smiling.
Alcaraz, with his powerful hitting and supreme athleticism, has long been tipped for greatness.
Since being identified as a potential superstar aged 11, he has developed under the guidance of former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero and taken his game to new levels this season.
Now Alcaraz has made his breakthrough on one of the biggest stages in the sport.
Over the past fortnight he has shown his talent and heart to win over legions of new fans, demonstrating why he is considered by many as the player best placed to replace Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer at the top of the men’s game in the coming years.
Alcaraz was the youngest Grand Slam men’s finalist since Nadal won the 2005 French Open and the youngest US Open men’s finalist since Pete Sampras won here in 1990.
