19-year-old tennis player Alcaraz became the first racket of the world

The young Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz quickly burst into the elite of world tennis, having won his first Grand Slam title. In addition, the victory over the Norwegian Kasper Ruud in the final of the US Open (6-4; 2-6; 7-6; 6-3) allowed Carlos to become the first racket of the world.

“I dreamed about this since childhood, imagined how I would become number one in the world, the champion of many Grand Slam tournaments. I want to thank my team and my entire family for all the hard work that has put me here. I am only 19 years old, so all the important decisions are made by my parents and the team. This win is really, really something special for me,” Alcaraz said in a post-match on-court interview.

The lightning-fast Alcaraz wowed fans in New York with his explosive speed, powerful forehand and deft acrobatics.

The Spaniard removed the Russian Daniil Medvedev from the top of the rankings. He became the youngest No. 1 in history, breaking the record of Australian Lleyton Hewitt, who was 20 years old when he first topped the rankings in 2001.

However, Carlos’ path to victory was not strewn with rose petals. He hit a fifth-set break against Croat Marin Cilic in the fourth round, scored a match-point serve from Italy’s Yannick Sinner in the quarter-finals, and beat American Francis Tiafoe in five sets in the semi-finals.

“I have always said that in tournaments there is simply no time to get tired. You have to give it your all,” said the Spaniard, who spent a total of 23 hours and 40 minutes on the court to win the US Open.

Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam winner, congratulated his compatriot on social media and predicted even greater success for him.

“So, I already have one title. He has 22. I am now also on this list (Grand Slam winners. – Approx. ed),” the happy Alcaraz answered reporters.

Carlos added that after winning the Grand Slam tournament, he yearns to win even more. “I want to stay at the top for many, many more weeks. Maybe even years. I’ll be back to training hard soon, even with these amazing two weeks.”

While for years the attention of the spectators at the Flushing Meadows stadium was riveted on Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, this time the fans went crazy with the new generation of men’s tennis – Alcaraz, Ruud, Sinner and Tiafoe.

Written by Rory Carroll.

Source Reuters.

Translation by Daniil Prilepsky “Moskovskaya Pravda”.

Photo screenshot from Reuters website