Carlos Alcaraz needed only a couple of seasons to span an almost impossible gap from playing Futures to becoming world no. 1! The young Spaniard claimed his first Major crown at the last year’s US Open and became the first teenager on the ATP throne.
Despite achieving a couple of notable tasks before turning 20, Carlos is eager to improve his game further and follow the path of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Looking at three legends and their constant improvements over the years, Alcaraz wants to keep working on his game and stay competitive for the many years to come.
Carlos became world no. 1 after the US Open last September and achieved 20 weeks on the ATP throne. Novak Djokovic passed the youngster following the Australian Open crown, and Alcaraz wants to challenge him for the rest of the season.
A teenager kicked off the 2022 season from just outside the top-30 and hoped to finish it in the top-15. The Spaniard suffered a tight loss to Matteo Berrettini at the Australian Open before conquering his first ATP 500 crown in Rio de Janeiro as the youngest winner on that level since 2009.
Carlos Alcaraz wants to follow the improvements of the ‘Big 3.’
The young gun pushed Rafael Nadal to the limits in the Indian Wells semi-final before losing after over three hours. Carlos went further two weeks later in Miami to become the third-youngest Masters 1000 champion after Michael Chang and Rafael Nadal!
Alcaraz did not have to wait to lift another notable trophy, conquering Barcelona at the end of April for back-to-back ATP 500 titles. Carlos cracked the top-10 with those points and joined the elite group of players who achieved that before turning 19.
Not stopping there, the youngster lifted another Masters 1000 shield in front of the home fans in Madrid after beating Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev within three days! Carlos became the world no. 1 contender and added more valuable points with the Roland Garros quarter-final.
Alcaraz came to the US Open as world no. 4 and saved a match point in the quarter-final thriller against Jannik Sinner to extend his journey. Carlos overpowered Frances Tiafoe in the semi-final and advanced to his first Major final.
Alcaraz fought for the ATP throne and a Major title against Casper Ruud and scored a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3 victory in three hours and 20 minutes. After this incredible success, the Spaniard slowed down a bit, resting his body and hoping for a good run in Basel and Paris.
Carlos lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Basel semi-final and reached the quarter-final in Paris. He injured his left abdominal wall during the Paris Masters quarter-final against Holger Rune, retiring in the second set’s closing stages and heading back home to Spain.
After further checks, Alcaraz revealed an abdominal muscle injury that sidelined him from the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup Finals. The Spaniard worked hard to enter the Australian Open in January but had to skip it after a leg injury.
World no. 2 will return at this week’s ATP 250 event in Buenos Aires. “Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are the best players in history. They have never stagnated, working hard on constant improvements. I hope to follow a similar path and improve my tennis physically and mentally,” Carlos Alcaraz said.
