How good is Carlos Alcaraz at 21 years outdated? Legendary good, in case you ask us! The younger gun wanted solely three seasons to gather 4 Main titles, 5 Masters 1000 shields and 36 weeks as world no. 1. The Spaniard has written historical past books following an unbelievable begin to his profession.
Alcaraz is the youngest world no. 1 and the one teenager on the year-end no. 1 listing. Amongst different achievements, Alcaraz is the third-youngest participant with three consecutive year-end top-3 finishes. Carlos began his streak in 2022 and matches two legends on the listing.
Bjorn Borg embraced his first year-end top-3 end in 1974 at 18. The Swede stood among the many gamers to beat within the upcoming years, notching his fourth consecutive year-end top-3 season in 1977 at 21! Rafael Nadal joined the occasion three many years later.
Born 20 years after Borg, Nadal secured his first year-end top-3 run in 2005 and backed it within the following two seasons. Bjorn and Rafa had been the one gamers on this listing for years earlier than Carlos joined them this season, including one other unbelievable report to his CV at 21!
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2024
Carlos made a reputation for himself in 2020 and 2021. Making continued progress and enhancements, Alcaraz turned one of many world’s finest gamers within the first half of 2022. A young person proved his expertise on the Masters 1000 degree earlier than elevating his degree to Majors.
He entered that yr’s US Open ranked 4th and claimed the title. Thus, he turned the primary teenager to earn a Main trophy since Rafael Nadal. Additionally, Carlos wrote historical past because the youngest world no. 1 in ATP historical past. On the identical Monday, Alcaraz kicked off his top-3 journey.
Carlos Alcaraz, Laver Cup 2024© Stream screenshot
That streak continues to be alive over two years later, with the Spaniard getting ready to change into the thirteenth participant with 120 consecutive top-3 weeks. Extra importantly, he achieved two full seasons within the top-3 because the youngest participant since Nadal in 2006 and 2007.
Carlos will search his fourth year-end top-3 end in a row subsequent yr, specializing in extra enhancements in his video games and extra notable trophies on his tally.
Carlos embraces a strong 2023 season
Alcaraz couldn’t repeat his 2022 run and keep on the ATP throne on the finish of the season. He misplaced it to Novak Djokovic and completed 2nd. It was Carlos’ first season completely spent within the top-3, a uncommon feat at 20! The Spaniard skipped the Australian Open.
Carlos Alcaraz, Laver Cup 2024© Stream screenshot
He began the season in February on clay and claimed the Buenos Aires title earlier than shedding the ultimate in Rio. A young person earned his third Masters 1000 crown in Indian Wells, turning into world no. 1 once more. He didn’t defend the Miami Masters title.
Nevertheless, Alcaraz achieved that in Barcelona and Madrid, extending his reign in entrance of the house followers. Carlos entered Roland Garros as the highest seed and battled in opposition to Novak Djokovic within the semi-final. Cracking underneath strain, Alcaraz felt cramps from the third set and completed on the shedding aspect.
Feeling the vitality on a regular basis in Beijing ⚡️
2024 Champion Carlos Alcaraz talks about discovering pleasure on courtroom once more.#ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/80tqQjgACG
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 2, 2024
The Spaniard returned at his finest through the grass swing. He conquered two notable titles regardless of barely taking part in on the quickest floor earlier than! He gained Queen’s and lifted his second Main crown at Wimbledon following an exciting title match victory over Novak Djokovic.
It was Carlos’ sixth and final title of the season. He might have secured one other in Cincinnati, lacking a match level in opposition to Novak within the ultimate and ending runner-up after almost 4 hours! The younger gun misplaced some floor and didn’t defend the US Open crown.
He suffered semi-final defeats in Beijing and the ATP Finals, wrapping up the yr behind Novak Djokovic however securing his second year-end top-3 end.
Carlos Alcaraz, Queens 2024© Stream screenshot
Carlos claims two Main crowns in 2024
Alcaraz wrapped up the 2024 season ranked third, however he made essentially the most of it! The Spaniard conquered Roland Garros and Wimbledon, holding 4 Main crowns at 21! Additionally, he turned the youngest winner of Main titles on all three surfaces.
After a few ups and downs, Carlos’ place within the top-3 was at risk a few instances. Nevertheless, Carlos endured and added the second full top-3 season to his spectacular tally. Alcaraz was 54-13 in 2024, celebrating three notable titles and increasing his spectacular run.
Carlos Alcaraz, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
The younger gun fell to Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open quarter-final. He failed to succeed in the ultimate in Buenos Aires and Rio earlier than discovering the profitable components. Carlos conquered Indian Wells, defending the title and remaining among the many world’s finest gamers.
An arm harm pressured Alcaraz to skip Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome. After falling to Andrey Rublev within the Madrid Masters quarter-final, Alcaraz took time without work the courtroom to deal with his harm. The Spaniard returned at his finest at Roland Garros.
He defeated seven rivals and have become the youngest champion in Paris since Rafael Nadal in 2007! Within the closing levels of the match, Carlos trailed two units to at least one versus Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev.
Carlos Alcaraz, Beijing Open 2024© X – Beijing Open
Nonetheless, he bounced again in units 4 and 5 in opposition to each rivals to raise a trophy and safe one other notable milestone. Alcaraz misplaced to Jack Draper at Queen’s however fastened that at Wimbledon. The 21-year-old handed a few difficult obstacles, particularly in opposition to Frances Tiafoe.
Thus, he entered his second consecutive ultimate on the All England Membership and confronted Novak Djokovic, like a yr in the past. Carlos dominated the legend in a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 win, lifting his fourth Main trophy and turning into the youngest winner of a ‘Channel Slam.’
Chasing an Olympic Video games gold medal, Alcaraz reached the ultimate in Paris and stood as the favourite in opposition to Djokovic. Nevertheless, the veteran turned the tables this time and prevailed 7-6, 7-6 after two hours and 52 minutes of titanic tennis.
Carlos Alcaraz, Beijing 2024© Stream screenshot
Carlos misplaced his confidence a bit, experiencing early defeats in Cincinnati and New York. The Spaniard performed nicely on the Laver Cup and stored that type in Beijing. Alcaraz took down world no. 1 Jannik Sinner in a memorable ultimate, celebrating his fourth and final title of the season.
Carlos misplaced within the Shanghai Masters quarter-final. He skilled three defeats in Paris and Turin, struggling to seek out his A-game on an indoor courtroom and wrapping up the season with one singles triumph on the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
