Alcaraz On Top Of The World

“[I want] to win a Grand Slam, or become No. 1 of the world” said Carlos Alcaraz, the then-World No. 55, at the 2021 US Open.

One groundbreaking year later and the 19-year-old needs some new career objectives. Alcaraz claimed his maiden Grand Slam trophy on Sunday at the 2022 edition of the hard-court major in New York with a four-set win against Casper Ruud. The triumph simultaneously made him the youngest No. 1 in Pepperstone ATP Rankings history.

"It's crazy for me. I've never thought that I was going to achieve something like that at 19 years old. So everything came so fast," said Alcaraz on reaching top spot. "For me it's unbelievable. It's something I dreamed since I was a kid, since I started playing tennis. Of course, lifting this trophy today is amazing for me."

Alcaraz spent 23 hours and 39 minutes on court during his fortnight in New York, the most time played at a single Grand Slam tournament since records began in 1999. His run included epic five-set triumphs against Marin Cilic, Jannik Sinner and Frances Tiafoe, the second of which also secured his qualification for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time.

“He (Alcaraz) is riding that wave,” said Ruud, who missed out on the No. 1 spot himself as a result of his final defeat but has nonetheless risen to a career-high No. 2 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings after reaching his second Grand Slam final of the year. “At the moment he's the best player in the world in my eyes. He deserves that spot.”