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It’s telling of the 19-year-old’s decided character and aggressive nature that he already has his sights set on one other grand slam win in 2023.
Alcaraz’s victory in New York after two weeks of grueling tennis — the teenager performed three consecutive marathon five-set matches within the rounds main into the ultimate — makes him the youngest participant to win a grand slam since Rafael Nadal lifted the primary of his 14 French Open titles in 2005.
Both hailing from Spain and being naturals on clay, the comparisons between Alcaraz and Nadal have been inevitable. Despite idolizing Nadal whereas rising up, Alcaraz has all the time batted away ‘the subsequent Nadal’ or ‘mini Nadal’ monikers, as a substitute insisting he desires to carve out his personal legacy.
On Sunday, he took the primary — and maybe hardest — step on that journey.
“It’s not all the time pleased on the trail, you need to endure so much, quite a lot of powerful moments in your life, so you need to overcome that. I labored, actually, actually laborious for this.
“I’ve bought the primary one at 19 years outdated, I hope to get one other one subsequent 12 months, however I suffered so much these two weeks, so I do know it is actually, actually powerful to get a grand slam, however I’ll work for an additional one. I’ll struggle to get one other one and so it is a purpose for me subsequent 12 months.”
Record breaker
With his victory, Alcaraz additionally claims the No. 1 world rating for the primary time, turning into the youngest participant in ATP historical past to take action. It’s a becoming approach to cap what has been an astonishing breakout 12 months for the younger man from El Palmar within the area of Murcia.
After profitable his maiden ATP title in 2021, Alcaraz has flourished additional in 2022, profitable 4 titles — together with two Masters 1000 tournaments — to stand up the rankings from No. 32 firstly of the 12 months.
Sunday’s battle in opposition to Ruud is a match-up tennis followers are more likely to see far more of sooner or later, with the Norwegian tipped by many to be a future grand slam champion.
After clinching match level, a visibly emotional Alcaraz fell to ground, although that doubtless might have been as a lot right down to exhaustion because it was emotion. He someway managed to seek out the power to climb by means of the stands to succeed in his supporter’s field, sharing hugs with associates, household and his coach, former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero.
“This second means so much to me, it is one thing I used to be on the lookout for since I began taking part in tennis,” Alcaraz stated after his victory. “I labored actually, actually laborious to have the ability to elevate this trophy at present, to develop into the very best participant on the planet. For me, this sense is indescribable, so this trophy means so much to me.
“I considered once I began taking part in tennis and, after all, all of my household, all of my coaches throughout my life, all the things from what I used to be a child. When you’re a child, you all the time dream about quite a lot of issues and to be No. 1 on the planet and to be a champion of a grand slam have been goals for me.
“So proper now lifting this trophy is a dream come true for me, so I’m so pleased.”
Nadal was among the many first folks to supply plaudits for Alcaraz’s achievement, with some viewing his victory in New York because the official passing of the torch for Spanish tennis.
“Congratulations @carlosalcaraz to your first Grand Slam and for the #1 rating, which is the fruits of your first nice season and of which I’m certain there will probably be many extra!” the 22-time grand slam champion wrote on Twitter.
With the talent, will and willpower that have been on show in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday, it seems to be as if Spain will proceed to have tennis glory to have a good time for years to come back.
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2022-09-12 10:08:26