This is an article ‘Carlos Alcaraz: On top at only 19’ by Marc Pulisci
Many might have expected him to sweat like crazy with nerves getting the better of him when he walked out of the locker room and onto the court for his first grand slam final. But 19-year-old Carlo Alcaraz's confidence was very much evident that day as he fist-bumped with fans who were seated near the railing of the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Such a class act must have played mind games in Norwegian Casper Ruud's head as he warmed up for their match. After winning the coin toss, Alcaraz turned to rush to the baseline to warm up when the chair umpire yelled for him to return to the net for the customary pre-match pictures.
Early on, Alcaraz displayed his limitless enthusiasm and energy that matched his talent, quickness, and stamina. By the end of the match, he had taken the top male tennis player position at the ATP from last year's 32 and the US Open title.
Growing up a legend
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain debuted after winning the Next Gen ATP Finals last year and claiming his first Grand Slam victory at the US Open last September. His six career victories include Masters 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid, five of which came this year. 2003 Roland-Garros champion and former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero has served as Alcaraz's coach for the past two years at his Equelite Academy.
Born on the 3rd of May 2003, Alcaraz began his love affair with tennis at the Real Sociedad Club de Campo de Murcia, where his father, Carlos Alcaraz González served as the tennis academy director. By 2018, he was enlisted as a player for Juan Carlos Ferrero's Equelite JC Ferrero Sports Academy.
In just two years after that, at 16, the young Spaniard made his ATP main-draw debut at the Rio Open as a wildcard. Alcaraz defeated Albert Ramos Viñolas but bowed in the second round against Federico Coria.
Tennis's 'it' boy
Before Miami, Alcaraz took part in an epic inter-generational face-off with Nadal in the 2022 BNP Paribas Open semifinal at Indian Wells. Nadal eventually took home the title, but it was only a matter of time before the younger Spaniard avenged his loss. That win came at the Madrid Masters.
Many took notice of how the young Spaniard displayed his championship potential by beating the best in the world at the Madrid Masters. He won the title and his fourth championship of 2022 after defeating big names, including Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev. The feat made Alcaraz the only man to have ever beaten over 20 grand slam winners Djokovic and Nadal on clay just days apart.
At this year's Miami Open, Alcaraz had also faced Ruud and won in two sets 7-5, 6-4 to claim the championship. He became the tournament's youngest-ever winner, with the win simultaneously registering his first ATP Masters 1000 championship and the first male Spanish player to win the Miami Open.
Creating a buzz
The first time tennis fans really took notice of Alcaraz was during last year's US Open. Just 18 years old back then, He defeated world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas with impressive skill and precision to advance to his first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Unfortunately, he ended up being injured in the second set during his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals and had to retire.
After that match, Alcaraz had already created a buzz in tennis circles which only grew louder by the time this year's Australian Open got underway. Coming in as the youngest-seeded male player in over 30 years, the Spaniard fell short in the third round conceding the match to Matteo Berrettini in a grueling five-set battle.
Little did everyone know that by the third quarter of the year, Alcaraz would take the number one ATP spot and his first grand slam title.
ATP number 1 and first grand slam
At this year's US Open, Alcaraz claimed the recognition as the youngest teen to win a men's grand slam title since Rafael Nadal at Roland-Garros in 2005. He defeated Casper Ruud with a rare combination of determination and surprising maturity that stunned the fans at Flushing Meadows.
During the match, Alcaraz displayed no signs of slowing down despite having played three five-set matches before the finals. Previously, no player had ever won the US Open title after having played such a grueling series leading to the championships.
On the road to the finals, the Spaniard defeated 2014 US Open winner Marin Cilic in five sets during the fourth round in a match that clocked in at five hours and 15 minutes. He then faced Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals for another epic five-hour set.
In the final match, Alcaraz displayed fantastic sportsmanship by conceding a point in the first set he knew he didn't deserve. At 4-3, the Spaniard pursued a short ball that bounced twice before being able to hit it with his racquet.
By the third set, Alcaraz found himself down 6-5 as he faced two set points. He successfully erased both set-point opportunities for Ruud by displaying excellent footwork and fluid reflexes that complemented his soft-hand volleys.
During the fourth set, it was clear that Alcaraz was ready to unleash the better shots just when things got close for Ruud. One break in the set was all it took for the Spaniard to gain the upper hand and claim the only Grand Slam final, pitting two players seeking both their first Grand Slam title and the top ATP spot.
A true champion
Of the 45 points he finished at the net during his match against Ruud, he won 34. He blasted 14 aces at speeds of up to 128 mph while serving and returning, earning 11 breakpoints and winning three.
Most tennis fans, experts, and players see Alcaraz as a unique young talent with an overall court style reinforced with solid groundstrokes and an aggressive determination that can intimidate even the best of today's top players.
He certainly is no fluke and can give Nadal and Djokovic a run for their money, now that Roger Federer has retired. If anyone's word about Alcaraz matters, it would probably be Ruud's, who said the young champion has an incredible fighting spirit and will to win.
Who are we to disagree?
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