Carlos Alcaraz, a Spanish youngster, fulfilled his potential as a future Grand Slam winner and world number one by defeating Casper Ruud in the US Open final.
In his first major final, Alcaraz won 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-3.
Since Rafael Nadal won the French Open in 2005, the 19-year-old has been the youngest men’s Grand Slam champion.
Had he won, Ruud, 23, would have been the new global number one, however he has since lost both of his two big finals.
Rather, Alcaraz succeeds Russia’s Daniil Medvedev at the top, becoming the first teenager to do so in the ATP rankings’ 49-year history.
Alcaraz, who preserved two set points in the third which would have put Ruud ahead, raced up to his squad in the bleachers and celebrated in a huddle with them before heading to his seat, where he was sobbing and delighted at the same time.
“”This is something which I dreamt of since I was a kid, being number one in the world and a champion of a Grand Slam. “It is something I have worked very hard for. It is really, really special.”
Carlos Alcaraz
Image credits: getty images
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