19-Year-Old Carlos Alcaraz Wins U.S. Open To Become Youngest No. 1 In ATP History

Like a steam engine rumbling down the tracks, Carlos Alcaraz has been coming for the world’s top tennis prizes for some time now.

With his unique combination of power, precision and speed, it has appeared virtually inevitable that Alcaraz would contend for Grand Slam titles and the No. 1 world ranking for the last couple of years. In March, at 18, he won his first Masters 1000 title in Miami, beating Casper Ruud in straight sets on hardcourts. In May, he beat Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev on his way to a second Masters 1000 title in Madrid.

And on Sunday, Alcaraz authored the latest chapter in his exploding career, winning his first Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open with his third straight victory over Ruud — 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3, capping it off with a 125-mph service winner before collapsing on his back on the court — and becoming the youngest No. 1 player in ATP history. Lleyton Hewitt, at 20 years, 9 months, was the previous youngest No. 1.

Due to rain, the roof was closed in Arthur Ashe Stadium and it was the first indoor final since 2018. The crowd on hand to witness Alcaraz’s breakthrough included Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Bon Jovi and Billie Jean King.

“This is something I dreamt of since I was a kid,” Alcaraz said on court. “To be No. 1 in the world, to be winner of a Grand Slam, it’s tough to talk right now. It’s something that I tried to achieve. All the hard work that I did with my family.

“I’m just 19 years old, This is something that is really, really special to me.”

Alcaraz, who has long been compared to his countryman Rafael Nadal, became the first man since Nadal to win a major before his 20th birthday. Nadal captured the first of his 14 French Open titles as a teenager in 2005. Pete Sampras in 1990 was the last teenager to win at the U.S. Open. At 19 years, 1 month, Sampras was three months younger than Alcaraz.

Alcaraz also became the third straight man to win his first major title at the U.S. Open after Dominic Thiem (2020) and Daniil Medvedev (2021). He takes home $2.6 million with the trophy, while Ruud earned $1.3 million.

For Ruud, it was his second loss in a major final in 2022. He was crushed by Rafael Nadal in the French Open final in June.

“I’m disappointed of course that I’m not No. 1 but No. 2 is not too bad, either,” Ruud said. “I will continue to chase for my first Grand Slam and the No. 1 ranking.”

Alcaraz need three straight five-set victories over Marin Cilic, Jannik Sinner and Frances Tiafoe — to reach the final, with the Sinner match ending at 2:50 a.m. Thursday and the Tiafoe match going until about midnight Friday. But he had all the energy needed to win one final match.

He banged out 14 aces, won 74% percent of the points on his first serve and won 34-of-45 net points en route to his 51st match win, the most this season.

“I always say it’s no time to be tired in a Grand Slam or the final round of a tournament,” he said. “It’s no time to be tired.”

Alcaraz earned an early break en route to taking the first set, hitting a knifing forehand volley winner en route to taking a 2-1 lead.

Alcaraz continued to mix up concussive baseline power with the topspin lob and the drop shot — and a willingness to use either shot at critical moments of a match.

“If he steps in, he can do anything with the ball,” Ruud said before the match. “He can rip a winner. He also has great touch with the dropshot. I think he has one of the best dropshots on tour. He can do both shots back and forth, it will sort of get you off guard sometimes with the dropshot.

In the second set, Ruud got a break to go ahead 4-2 and then smashed a deep overhead winner to go up 5-2 and another overhead smash to break again and take the set.

In the third set tiebreak, Alcaraz dominated, breaking Ruud three times to take the breaker easily. When Ruud sailed a forehand long on set point, Alcaraz pumped his fist to the crowd, knowing he was in command two-sets-to-one.

In the fourth set, Alcaraz earned a break point with a terrific lob that Ruud hit into the net earned Alcaraz a break point. Alcaraz then broke for 4-2 when Ruud sailed a forehand wide.

The victory by Alcaraz capped a U.S. Open that saw Serena Williams close out her career, leading to an all-time attendance record. The two-week main draw attendance was 776,120, surpassing the previous record of 737,872, set in 2019.

The championship match also came on the 21st anniversary of 9/11 and both men acknowledged the signifance of the date.

“My thoughts are with all of you on this special day,” Alcaraz said. “I will remember this day with all of you and my thoughts are with all of you.”