The Spaniard, who saved two set points from Ruud in the third set, is also the youngest Grand Slam champion since his compatriot and idol Rafael Nadal won Roland Garros in 2005.
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“Congratulations Carlos Alcaraz on your first Grand Slam and on the number 1 that marks your first great season, which I am sure will be many more”, congratulated Nadal on his Twitter account.
As soon as the game ended, Alcaraz collapsed on the court and, in tears, ran to his box to hug his father, Carlos, and his coach, former tennis player Juan Carlos Ferrero.
“It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a boy. Being number 1 in the world, being a Grand Slam champion”, said the Spaniard after the match.
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Alcaraz fulfilled his double dream in a grueling final in which he overcame the high level of Ruud, runner-up at Roland Garros, and the fatigue of two weeks in which he was the player with the longest time on the court in a Grand Slam.
“I'm a little tired, but I always say that a Grand Slam final or a tournament is not the time to be tired”, he highlighted. “You have to give everything on the court. It’s something I worked hard to achieve and this is not the time to be tired.”
Before receiving the check for US$2,6 million for the champion and the trophy from the hands of former American tennis player John McEnroe, Alcaraz thanked the New York public for their support and showed solidarity with the city in remembrance of the 21st anniversary of the terrorist attacks. 2001.
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“I know it’s a special day for everyone. My thoughts are with you all,” she stated.
Since the creation of the ATP rankings in 1973, Alcaraz is the 28th player to reach the top and the fourth Spanish player, after Nadal, Carlos Moyá and Ferrero.
Before him, the youngest world number 1 was Australian Leyton Hewitt, in the 2001 season, at 20 years and nine months.
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(with AFP)
