The Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz courageously accomplished the seventh and last of his works. Winner of a stunning US Open, he sits at the top of world tennis. In front of Casper Ruud.
The number : 1
That of the first Grand Slam title for Carlos Alcaraz (19 years and 4 months), winner 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 in 3h20. The Spaniard won in New York his 6e ATP title, after Umag (in 2021), Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Barcelona, Madrid and New York (in 2022). A title that brought him 2.5 million euros and made him the youngest winner of the US Open since Pete Sampras (19 years 28 days in 1990) and the youngest Grand Slam winner since… Rafael Nadal ( 19 years and 2 days) at Roland-Garros in 2005. This title propels Carlos Alcaraz (3e Spaniard winner of the US Open after Manuel Orantes in 1965, and Rafael Nadal in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019) in place of world No. Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest player in the place of world No. 1 since the development of the ranking (in August 1973). The Spaniard erases the Australian Lleyton Hewitt (20 years and 9 months in 2001). He did better than Marat Safin (20 years and 10 months in 2000) or John McEnroe (21 years and 1 month in 1980), when they reached the top of the world rankings. It fits as the 4e Spaniard to reach the place of world No. 1 after Carlos Moya (in 1999), Juan Carlos Ferrero (his coach, in 2003) and Rafael Nadal (in 2008). Like Carlos Moya (March 1999), Andre Agassi (July 1999) and Pete Sampras (2000), he climbed the rankings to go directly from 4e (he was seeded #3 in New York) to #1 in the world.
The turning point of the game: The two set points that Casper Ruud failed to convert in the 3e set (at 6-5). They would have allowed the Norwegian to take off, to lead 2 sets to 1. At that time, Casper Ruud had gained the upper hand over his rival who had no more flames in his strikes and was only standing by the strength of his iron determination. At that time, Carlos Alcaraz, after a great start and a real slack, had the strength to hang on and the madness to believe in it. And he bit by bit, point after point, game after game, gradually regained the momentum and the strength to overthrow Casper Ruud, who for a set and a half looked like a solid wall, the regularity of a metronome. After erasing a match point in the quarterfinals against Jannik Sinner, surviving three matches in 5 sets, this US Open could not escape this phenomenon. “It was an exciting game to play. Lots of fun rallies, fun shots. It’s sad that it didn’t work out for me, but Carlos rose to the occasion when needed, especially in the third set. He was too good on those set points. We have already seen it several times with him. All credit goes to him.”summed up Casper Ruud.
Point : At 4-4, 30A in the 3e set, the game is just waiting to switch. Fatigue and emotion have fun changing sides, playing with the nerves of the protagonists. This does not prevent them from struggling without counting and multiplying the spectacular points. On one of them, Casper Ruud who, at this time, has the ascendant manhandles Carlos Alcaraz who, physically marked, does not want to let go and fights with heart. The Spaniard finishes with his nose on the Arthur Ashe court. With a smile, as often after the spectacular exchanges. Win or lose. The Spaniard beaten on this blow will gradually succeed in returning to the match and end up defeating the Norwegian metronome.
L’image : Ruud’s fair play. The Norwegian could also write history. He understood, as soon as the players entered, that he would have to play against an audience that had chosen his rival as the favourite. He didn’t show anything. Dominated at the start of the match, he hung on. And did not hesitate to return a point to his opponent after the ball doubled under the eyes of the referee. Right in the storm. Just in the turmoil, Casper Ruud unhappy for his second defeat in the Grand Slam final emerged from the test. His game will torment others.
The tweets: Nadal and Real Madrid congratulate Alcaraz
Rafael Nadal was one of the first to congratulate Carlos Alcaraz after his US Open title. The legendary player, winner of 22 Grand Slam titles, wrote to his young compatriot on Twitter: “ Congratulations on your first Grand Slam and your number 1 spot which is the culmination of your first great season which I am sure will call for many more. ” Without forgetting the Norwegian Casper Ruud, the unfortunate finalist, beaten 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-3: “ Nice effort. Very proud of you! No luck today but an extraordinary tournament and season! Carry on! Real Madrid were also quick to congratulate the young winner: Congratulations on your historic victory at the US Open. It is a source of pride that a great madridista like you wins his first Grand Slam and is the youngest tennis player in history to reach the top spot in the rankings. » “Unbelievable ! Congratulation”Coco Gauff slipped on Twitter.
At the state :
11:39 p.m. The time spent on the courts by Carlos Alcaraz during the tournament. An endurance that exceeds Kevin Anderson at Wimbledon in 2018 (11:20 p.m.) for the most hours played in a single Grand Slam tournament since 1999.
The diviner:
A week before the start of the US Open, asked to comment on the identity of the favorite of a US Open expected to be very open, Nick Kyrgios had decided and dropped: “Carlos Alcaraz”.
L’info :
The US Open has raised $2 million in aid for Ukraine through the combined fundraising efforts across the three weeks of the 2022 event.