Teen On Top
AMAZING ALCARAZ
After Carlos Alcaraz’s final serve of Sunday evening’s US Open final against Casper Ruud went unreturned, the 19-year-old Spaniard’s approach to the net came to an immediate halt. The Murcia-native fell to his back and put both hands over his face in disbelief.
The teen knew that he had made history. Not only had Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam title, but he also guaranteed that today he would become the youngest World No. 1 in Pepperstone ATP Rankings history.
“I’m lost for words right now!” Alcaraz tweeted shortly after the match. “I just want to keep dreaming!”
One year ago, this was Alcaraz’s dream. In an interview with the ATP at Flushing Meadows, he was asked what he would like to do in tennis. Then World No. 55, the teen said “to win a Grand Slam, or become No. 1 of the world”. Like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, he cracked a wide smile after making that statement. But this was no wild proclamation.
Fifty-two weeks later, he can say “mission accomplished”. What is scary for the rest of the ATP Tour is that he is just getting started. Some players do not earn their first Pepperstone ATP Rankings point until age 19. Alcaraz is already the No. 1 player in the world.
Carlos Alcaraz, a master in Miami. Photo Credit: Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz, a master in Miami. Photo Credit: Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Photo Credit: Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz, a master in Miami. Photo Credit: Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Earlier this year, Daniil Medvedev became the first player outside the ‘Big Four’ of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray to capture World No. 1 since Federer first ascended to the top spot in February 2004. The 26-year-old Medvedev certainly earned his spot and will be at or near the top of the sport for years to come. But the rise of Alcaraz feels different.
The Spaniard, who turned 19 just four months ago, won the 2021 Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals to establish himself as the future. Clearly, he is the present, too. This is not just the changing of the guard, but the evolution of it.
For nearly two decades, the ‘Big Four’ have left fans’ jaws on the floor. While Alcaraz has a long road ahead, his game is a mix of some of the quartet’s best qualities. He has Federer’s shotmaking, Nadal’s heart, Djokovic’s movement and Murray’s creativity.
But Alcaraz is no machine made up of parts. The Spaniard is very human, and that is what has endeared him to fans throughout the world. His blazing groundstrokes, squeak-inducing speed, highlight-reel tendencies and swashbuckling fearlessness have helped him to this level. But the joy with which he plays the game stands out. You remember his smile, which is nearly impossible to wipe from his face.
When asked to put his experience during the 2022 US Open into one word, Alcaraz said “happy”. No surprise there.
It was an emotional moment when ‘Carlitos’ climbed into the stands inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday evening to celebrate with his family and friends. There was dancing and hugs all around. To Alcaraz, this is not just his success. It is all of theirs.
Particularly stirring was the moment Alcaraz shared with his coach, former World No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero. In 2018, having already coached the likes of two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev, the Spaniard began to work with a young Alcaraz, whom he described as “like a spaghetti”. They are more than a player and coach, though. Alcaraz and Ferrero have become like family.
Earlier this year, Alcaraz was enjoying a deep run at the Miami Open presented by Itau, where he was pursuing his first Masters 1000 title. But missing was Ferrero, who was home following the passing of his father. During the tournament, Alcaraz publicly made clear his efforts were for ‘Juanki’. Before the championship match, Ferrero surprised his charge by flying to Miami. It was not about tennis. It was about family. Alcaraz went on to win the biggest title of his career.
The Spaniard, who had also become the youngest ATP 500 champion in history at Rio de Janeiro earlier in the season, continued his rapid rise from there. Confronting the pressure of performing on home soil in Madrid, Alcaraz surged to another Masters 1000 crown, becoming the second-youngest player in history to win two of them, with only Nadal accomplishing the feat at a younger age.
Alcaraz’s journey has not come without hurdles, though. Nobody’s does. But where some players might try to brush those moments away, limiting themselves in the long run, Alcaraz has shared his feelings with the world. Last month in Montreal, Alcaraz lost his opening match against Tommy Paul. Already a two-time Masters 1000 champion, it was a tough defeat.
“Right now all I can say [is] it was the first time that I couldn't handle the pressure. I felt the pressure to be the No. 2 seed in this kind of tournament, No. 4 in the world,” Alcaraz said. “It was the first time that I felt that pressure, and I couldn't handle it.”
Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
One month later, facing the pressure of a Grand Slam championship and the potential of climbing to World No. 1, Alcaraz confronted that pressure with courage. The Spaniard won three consecutive five-setters at the US Open, including a stirring victory in the quarter-finals against Jannik Sinner that ended at a tournament-record 2:50 in the morning.
But instead of worrying about the consequences of the late finish, Alcaraz smiled wide, tossed his sneakers into the crowd and signed autographs for the fans. It was that joy, Alcaraz said, that ultimately made the difference this fortnight.
“I came here just to enjoy, you know?” Alcaraz said. “To smile on court, to enjoy playing tennis. I love playing tennis, of course. I would say if I smile, if I have fun out there, I saw my best level, my best tennis.”
Alcaraz and Ferrero have never harped on the importance of reaching World No. 1 and lifting a Grand Slam trophy. They have always preached the importance of trying to improve every day. That will not change now that Alcaraz is on top of the world.
“I think he's on 60 per cent of his game. He can improve a lot of things. He knows and I know that we have to keep working,” Ferrero said. “Once to get to the No. 1, it's not done.”
As impressive as Alcaraz has been since he broke onto the scene two-and-a-half years ago as a 16-year-old with a three-hour, 37-minute win against Tour veteran Albert Ramos-Vinolas in Rio de Janeiro, this is still early in the teen’s journey. It is also important to remember that the ‘Big Four’ are still playing well. The likes of Medvedev, new World No. 2 Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas are also improving, and future stars including Sinner are hungry to claim what Alcaraz now has.
“I just can say that I'm really happy to move on to be No. 1 of the world, still growing,” Alcaraz said. “I'm so, so happy.”
Talents come and go, but champions last a lifetime. Alcaraz is the best of both. Now buckle up. The next two decades will be an unforgettable ride.
Photo Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
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