Carlos Alcaraz has become the youngest male player to clinch the US Open title since Pete Sampras in 1990 after producing a gutsy win over Casper Ruud in the final on Sunday.
The 19-year-old ousted his Norwegian nemesis 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3, to win his first Grand Slam title during what has been a sensational season for the youngster who has now won five titles. As a result of his triumph, Alcaraz will become the youngest No.1 in Pepperstone ATP rankings history on Monday, dethroning last year’s champion Daniil Medvedev from the top spot.
“This is something I have dreamt of since I was a kid, to be number one in the world, to be a champion of a Grand Slam. It is tough to talk right now. There are a lot of emotions right now,” Alcaraz said during his on-court interview.
“It is something I have tried to achieve. All the hard work I have done. I am just 19 years old so the top decisions are with my team and my parents. It is really special for me.
“My Mum is not here, and my Grandfather. I was thinking about them. A lot of my family are here but there are a lot of people from my family that couldn’t come here to watch the final and I was thinking of them.”
Alcaraz’s run to the US Open title has been a rollercoaster encounter with his six matches leading up to the final lasting more than 20 hours. In the three previous rounds, he was taken to five-set in encounters that lasted late into the night. Despite concerns over how he would hold up against Ruud, he once again beats the odds with the help of 51 winners to record his third win over the world No.7 since 2021.
“I always said there was no time to be tired in the final run of a tournament,” he said of his latest achievement.
“You have to give everything on court, everything you have inside. It is something I have worked really hard for and it is not time to be tired.”
In what was the second-youngest US Open men’s final of the Open Era, both players had their chances at the start of the match with four consecutive games taking place with at least one break point occurring in each of them. Alcaraz was the first to draw blood after a Ruud forehand error granted him a break for 2-1. The breakthrough was a pivotal moment as he carefully worked his way to clinching the opener. Leading 5-4, a serve out wide prompted his rival to return the ball into the net, rewarding Alcaraz with a trio of set points. He converted his first with the help of another Ruud mistake coming from his backhand side.
Despite his inexperience and young age, the Spaniard has already established himself as a fierce frontrunner on the Tour. Coming into the final, he has won 48 out of 50 matches played when he claimed the first set.
However, Ruud conjured up a way to revive his title chances by staging a strong fight back in the second frame which saw him win four games in a row. A lull in intensity from Alcaraz paved the way for him to break for the first time for a 4-2 lead. Prompting the world No.3 to show visible signs of frustration for the first time. Gaining momentum, Ruud went to level the final at once set apiece with the help of a smash at the net. Making it the first time he has won a set against a member of the world’s top four players on the Tour in his career.
Ruud’s tactic of taking the ball early by standing inside the court continued to bring him success against his opponent who looked as if he might be suffering from the after-effects of playing three five-set matches in a row earlier in the week. Nevertheless, Alcaraz valiantly battled back in what was a tense third set by recovering from a break down. After saving a duo of set points whilst trailing 5-6, he dominated the tiebreaker with a seven-point winning streak to get back into the lead once again.
Closing in on the biggest win of his career, Alcaraz broke midway through the fourth set en route to the title. His 14th ace of the match handed him a duo of championship points. He then sealed victory with the help of another blistering serve out wide which Ruud failed to return, prompting him to collapse onto the floor in sheer joy.
As for Ruud, he will rise to No.2 as a result of his US Open performance. It is the second time this year he has been runner-up at a major after settling for second best against Rafael Nadal at the French Open.
“It’s tough to explain but things have been going so well. Today was a special evening for both Carlos and I. We knew what was at stake, and I think it’s fitting both finalists will be number one and number two in the world. I’m happy with that number and I will continue to chase that ranking and my first Grand Slam,” he said.
“I owe everything to my family and they’ve been caring, helpful, thoughtful in all my career. They are the reason I am able to be here today and I hope we can continue to be a strong team in the future.”
This year marks the first time there has been a change concerning the No.1 ranking following the conclusion of the US Open since 2003 when Juan Carlos Ferrero did so. Coincidentally Ferro is Alcaraz’s coach and has been mentoring him since the age of 16.
“Thanks to him I’m lifting this trophy today. Juan Carlos to me is my second father. He could train a lot of top players but he decided to be with me at 16. Juan Carlos to me means everything,” the new champion told Amazon Prime.
