Spanish Davis Cup team captain Sergi Bruguera said he felt it was a matter of time before Carlos Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam title. On Sunday, the 19-year-old Alcaraz defeated Casper Ruud in the US Open final 6-4 2-6 7-6(1) 6-3.
Alcaraz was not only going for his first Grand Slam title in the US Open final, but he also had his eyes on the No. 1 ranking. Victory in the US Open final made Alcaraz the youngest number 1 in tennis history. Earlier this year, Alcaraz won two Masters titles.
“With Alcaraz we knew that this was going to happen sooner or later, but everything has come very quickly, which is impressive. The week he had was impressive, many five-set matches, as well as a great final. He is in spectacular shape, both physically and mentally, but the most important thing for us is that he comes to see us on Tuesday and has time to recover,” said Bruguera.
After winning Masters titles in Miami and Madrid, Alcaraz told the tennis community that he was ready to win a Grand Slam title. At the French Open, Alcaraz reached the quarterfinals before losing to Alexander Zverev. Then at Wimbledon, Alcaraz reached the round of 16 before falling to Jannik Sinner.
Alcaraz may not have won his first Grand Slam title when he expected to win at the French Open, but it didn’t take long for him to fulfill his dream.
Ferrer opens up on Alcaraz
Former World No. 3 David Ferrer has stated that Carlos Alcaraz is Rafael Nadal’s natural successor in a recent interview with Marca.
“It is clear that Carlos is a blessing. We have Rafa Nadal, who is unique, but the truth is that we have relief because he is a different player, special. Rafa Nadal is unique, but Carlos is his natural successor; he has something different,” Ferrer said.
“Yes, it is surprising how he has faced favoritism and pressure at 19 years old. He has something different from the others as in his day happened with Rafa, Federer and Djokovic. He is a tennis player who possesses all the shots and dominates the point.
He is humble and wants to continue learning every day,” Ferrer said. Carlos Alcaraz has found himself in the spotlight after capturing his maiden Major title at the 2022 US Open. “When you’re a kid, you always want to be like someone, you know? It was incredible for me to grow up watching [the Big 3’s] matches.
Just the best guys in the world, dominating the ATP, winning for so many years. That helped me to be like them––well, to try to be like them,” Alcaraz said.
