Carlos Alcaraz may be the “next big thing” in tennis after claiming US Open title and #1 ATP ranking at just 19

On Sunday, September 11, Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz claimed the winner’s medal at the US Open Men’s Singles championship after beating Casper Ruud of Norway. With this win, he also became the number one ranked player in the men’s ATP rankings. He is the youngest player in the history of men’s tennis to achieve this feat. At only 19, Alcaraz is already being heralded as the “future of the sport.”

Alcaraz fist-bumped fans as he walked down the path to take the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium for his first Grand Slam final. Although quite young, this ace brings a great deal of mature determination to every game he plays.

This was on full display Sunday as Alcaraz defeated Ruud after four sets. Ruud called his opponent “one of those few rare talents that comes up every now and then.” Alcaraz’s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, claimed his pupil was “born to play this kind of tournament, born to play these kind of matches.” And in his own words, Carlos Alcaraz is “hungry for more.”

During the matches, the young Spaniard was invigorated by the crowd chanting, “Olé, Olé, Olé! Carlos!” He even motioned for them to cheer louder. Tenacity was undoubtedly an advantage for Alcaraz as he made his way through three five-setters in a row before reaching the finale. Briefly showing signs of fatigue, the teenage star proclaimed, “It’s not time to be tired,” despite playing through the most challenging route to the finals the event has seen in three decades.

The final against Ruud could have easily gone the opposite for Carlos Alcaraz. In the third set, he was down by just one point. Yet, Alcaraz responded with his trademark quick-reflex moves at the most crucial moments. Ruud observed, “When it’s close, he pulls out great shots.”

Alcaraz pulled out all the shots in his book to claim the number one spot in Monday’s ATP rankings. Men’s tennis has been dominated for years by names like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. But now, young Alcaraz is undoubtedly one to watch out for in the coming years.