Carlos Alcaraz makes never-before-seen tennis history with US Open win
Teen sensation Carlos Alcaraz has won his maiden grand slam title at the US Open and also made tennis history to become the youngest ever male World No.1.
Alcaraz, 19, headed into the final knowing either his opponent, Casper Ruud, or himself would end up with their first ever grand slam win and the World No.1 title.
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However, after a rollercoaster match against the in-form Ruud, Alcaraz prevailed 6-4, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3.
The Spaniard collapsed on the floor after securing his first grand slam title of his young career and his sixth ATP title in 2022.
Alcaraz became the youngest US Open mens champ since Pete Sampras.
Fans quickly reacted to the phenomenal scenes and were quick to suggest the future of tennis is in good hands after a thrilling final.
Felicidades @carlosalcaraz por tu primer Grand Slam y por el número 1 que es el colofón a tu primera gran temporada que estoy seguro serán muchas más! 👏🏻
Great effort @CasperRuud98 !very proud of you! Tough luck today but amazing tournament and season! Keep going!— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) September 11, 2022
Congratulations to @carlosalcaraz, the youngest #USOpen champion since Pete Sampras!
(Photo from 2021). pic.twitter.com/2dezvJvtws— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 11, 2022
¡Otro nuevo Rey Carlos!
19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz wins the #USOpen and becomes the youngest ATP #1, beating Casper Ruud 6-4 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3 in the final.
The heir apparent all year, Carlos takes the crown convincingly and deservedly.
This is just the beginning of his reign.— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 11, 2022
Love tennis! First 5 days belonged to 40 year old Serena as she evolved away from pro tennis and now last 5 days belonged to a 19 year old champion Alcaraz who is the new #1. What a major season @AustralianOpen @rolandgarros @Wimbledon @usopen pic.twitter.com/qaKhqkWvb8
— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) September 11, 2022
The 28th - and youngest - ATP No.1 in history...
All hail @CarlosAlcaraz! pic.twitter.com/3PZL3yBAFt— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 11, 2022
Hype?
Reality.#USOpen @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/oVYhHprI3Z— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 11, 2022
Congratulations, @carlosalcaraz! The youngest man in the world to become #1 at just 19 years old. 👏🏆 @usopen https://t.co/zSHagVlRxe
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) September 11, 2022
Carlos Alcaraz, 19 years, 4 months, 6 days, beats Casper Ruud 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3 to win a first Grand Slam title at the #USOpen and become the youngest ATP number #1 EVER.
What a moment -- for him and for tennis. pic.twitter.com/UgPCdxX9dW— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 11, 2022
Carlos Alcaraz makes tennis history
Spaniard Alcaraz was appearing in his eighth major tournament and second at Flushing Meadows, but already has attracted plenty of attention as someone considered the Next Big Thing in men's tennis.
Alcaraz often motioned to the supportive spectators to get louder when they chanted 'Ole, Ole, Ole' during the match.
He only briefly showed signs of fatigue from having to get through three consecutive five-setters to reach the title match, something no one had done in New York in 30 years.
Alcaraz dropped the second set and faced a pair of set points while down 6-5 in the third. But he erased each of those point-from-the-set opportunities for Ruud with soft-hand volleys he repeatedly displayed.
And with help from a series of shanked shots by a tight-looking Ruud in the ensuing tiebreaker, Alcaraz surged to the end of that set.
One break in the fourth was all it took for Alcaraz to seal the victory in the only grand slam final between two players seeking both a first major championship and the top spot in the ATP's computerised rankings, which date to 1973.
Ruud, the 23-year-old from Norway, is now 0-2 in slam finals.
He was the runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the French Open in June.
with AAP
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