Carlos Alcaraz os Spain won the US Open title yesterday, at just 19. He is the seventh youngest man ever to win a Gland Slam title. He also becomes the youngest man, and the first teenager, to climb to the number one ranking in men's tennis.
Alcaraz earned his first Grand Slam title yesterday by defeating Casper Ruud of Norway 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-3. Ruud was making his second ever appearance at a Grand Slam final. He had reached the French Open men's final earlier this year, ultimately losing to another Spaniard, legend Rafael Nadal, who earned his 14th title on the terre battue of Roland-Garros. It should be noted that Ruud also lost to Alcaraz at a Masters 1000 final at the Miami Open earlier this year.
Still, it was a phenomenal year for Ruud, who had a chance to earn the number one ranking in men's tennis himself with a win. In fact, both participants in this final had the chance to ascend to the number one ranking with a win. Ultimately, however, it was Alcaraz who succeeded in winning the final, and reaching the number one. As a consolation prize, Ruud had his best performance ever at the US Open in particular, and can boast having reached two Grand Slam finals in this calendar year. He also reached the number two ranking in the world, which is no small feat.
Some detractors are suggesting that this win, and possibly the successful run on the part of both of these men, should have an asterisk attached, since Novak Djokovic, who owned the number one ranking himself earlier in the year, was not allowed to participate because of his refusal to get a Covid vaccination. Perhaps. Djokovic also was detained in Australia, and ultimately not allowed to play at the Australian Open earlier this year. Yet, nobody seemed to feel that this detracted from Nadal ultimately earning his second career Australian Open title. Why the absence of Djokovic should diminish the accomplishments by either Ruud or Alcaraz is a question, although his absence may indeed have proven significant.
That said, Djokovic has not won at Flushing Meadows since 2018. So my own opinion is that it was not going to be an automatic win for Djokovic, although it would have made it more interesting, and removed all doubt about the greatness of this feat.
Nevertheless, we have witnessed history. Alcaraz has ben setting all sorts of records for youngest ever champion in previous tournaments. But being the youngest man to reach the number one ranking is huge. He now has a chance to finish this calendar year as the top ranked man in the world, which would really be something. Some in the media had already claimed him as the heir apparent of the "Big Three" in men's tennis: Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer.
Not sure about whether or not that will happen. But he clearly is off on the right foot.
What a win, and what an accomplishment at such a young age!
US Open: Carlos Alcaraz beats Casper Ruud Carlos Alcaraz Wins U.S. Open Men’s Singles Title, and Becomes No. 1
Alcaraz, the 19-year-old Spanish sensation, beat Casper Ruud of Norway in four sets to capture his first Grand Slam championship and take the top spot in the ATP world rankings.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/11/sports/tennis/us-open-alcaraz-ruud.html?fbclid=IwAR1lMwKVSX7z8-WOKu-uibz01tYFXn6baTTHU-nHozHwH61yJXKKwnKFnw0
Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest ever men’s world number one with US Open win as he joins exclusive list of teenage Grand Slam winners by Joshua Thomas, September 11, 2022:
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/tennis/news/carlos-alcaraz-youngest-men%E2%80%99s-world-number-one-exclusive-list-teenage-grand-slam-winners/bwbw0uggtb17ugqagu9y6yui
US Open: Carlos Alcaraz beats Casper Ruud in New York to win first major By Jonathan Jurejko BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows Last updated on20 minutes ago20 minutes ago. From the sectionTennis
https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/62872605?at_medium=custom7&at_custom3=BBC+Sport&at_campaign=64&at_custom4=48C2F61A-322C-11ED-B59B-F1C796E8478F&at_custom2=facebook_page&at_custom1=%5Bpost+type%5D&fbclid=IwAR2MINHidRF7HbRASDCDeEsUcHD1DvtmS8ykXm2c02MLEFLTNEpKDE2rfxI
No comments:
Post a Comment