'So emotional': Devastating story behind Carlos Alcaraz's celebrations
Teen phenom Carlos Alcaraz created tennis history after winning the Miami Open title and the Spaniard celebrated it with a special moment with his coach.
The 18-year-old Spaniard - who was not even in the Top 100 of the world rankings this time a year ago - downed Ruud 7-5, 6-4 in the final to cement his status as the game's next big thing.
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Alcaraz's stunning victory saw him outdo the tournament's previous youngest winner, Novak Djokovic - who was 19 when he first won the prestigious tournament.
And fans noticed a special moment during Alcaraz's celebrations.
The 18-year-old Spaniard climbed into the player's box to hug his family and his team.
And the first person he greeted was his coach - and former World No.1 - Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Ferrero hadn't been at the Miami Open, up until the final, due to the death of his father.
And in heartbreaking scenes, Ferrero embraced Alcaraz as he burst into tears during the celebrations.
This moment ❤️@alcarazcarlos03 @juankiferri pic.twitter.com/WTZK6mAjMX
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 3, 2022
Tennis world reacts to Carlos Alcaraz's reaction
Earlier in the tournament, Alcaraz wrote a message after a match to honour Ferrero and his father.
The humble act drew Alcaraz plenty of praise.
Another message from Carlos Alcaraz to the late father of his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero:
Eduardo siempre con nosotros ❤️
Eduardo always with us ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AVd6e0hVdm— TroubleFault (@troublefault) April 3, 2022
And following his incredible win, Alcaraz talked about the special moment with his coach and mentor.
“Juan Carlos came yesterday," Alcaraz said.
"It is a tough moment for him and I want to say thank you to him that he could come and be with me in an important moment in my career. It’s pretty amazing to share this with you."
Alcaraz later added in an interview with Amazon Prime: “It’s so special (that he came to the final).
"He came here yesterday afternoon and I was surprised. I didn’t know.
"It’s a great moment to share with him, it’s my best title and the best moment of my career."
The tennis world reacted to the beautiful moment between the teenage prodigy and his famous coach.
18yo Carlos Alcaraz defeats world #8 Casper Ruud 7-5 6-4 to become the youngest men’s champion @ Miami Open.
His coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who lost his dad ahead of the tournament & surprised Alcaraz by turning up for the final, is in tears as they celebrate a milestone win pic.twitter.com/inXZMIK1l6— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) April 3, 2022
Juan Carlos Ferrero surprising Carlos Alcaraz and being there to see him lift the Miami Open trophy despite his father passing away recently, this is so emotional pic.twitter.com/MIwd6tJtJw
— jess (@smithrcwes) April 3, 2022
The last person Carlos Alcaraz expected to see before the biggest match of his life was his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who had returned home after his father's death. Ferrero made a surprise return, Alcaraz won, & here's what it meant. @MiamiOpen #Alcaraz pic.twitter.com/1MsQkSlIOF
— LoveGameTennis (@LoveGame_Tennis) April 3, 2022
Alcaraz's coach Juan Carlos Ferrero is sobbing in the stands.
He only flew out for the final after missing the rest of the tournament because he recently lost his father.#MiamiOpen— James Gray (@jamesgraysport) April 3, 2022
Only two men have won ATP titles at a younger age than the Spaniard's with Michael Chang claiming the 1990 Toronto tile when he was 18 years and five months old and Rafael Nadal winning the 2005 Monte Carlo crown at 18 years and 10 months.
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