Carlos Alcaraz cements his status as the game’s rising star by winning Next Gen ATP Finals
He has long been hailed as the best of the newcomers knocking on the door at the top of the game and now Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed his status as the ‘next big thing’ in tennis.
The dynamic Spaniard capped a strong breakthrough season by beating Sebastian Korda to win the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan.
The 18-year-old beat Korda 4-3 (5) 4-2 4-2 to become the first Spaniard to triumph in the prestigious 21-and-under event.
Alcaraz had started the year ranked 141 in the world rankings but claimed his first top-level title in Umag before marching to the quarter-finals of the US Open.
Korda had his chances in the opening set but was unable to convert any of five break points and Alcaraz held on to force his way through a tie-break.
Unstoppable.
What a tournament to end an incredible ATP Tour season for @alcarazcarlos03 👏#NextGenATPFinals pic.twitter.com/6R1myC43Sq
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 13, 2021
Alcaraz stepped up the pace in the second set and maintained his momentum through the third to complete his victory after 84 minutes.
Alcaraz said in his on-court interview: “It is amazing – to be able to win this tournament means a lot to me.
“I am so excited right now and emotional. I was very, very nervous at the start. I had to be calm to save the break points. I know Korda is serving very well, so I had to play my best in those moments.
“It has been a really good season for me. I am really happy about the moments I have experienced. Beating Stefanos (Tsitsipas) at the US Open, reaching the quarter-finals at a Grand Slam and winning my first ATP Tour title.
“But I think this would not have been possible without the experience I gained in Madrid, playing against Rafa (Nadal). In Acapulco, playing against (Alexander) Zverev. There are a lot of tournament matches that gave me a lot of experience to make me more mature so soon.”
Alcaraz will now end the year with a career high ranking of 32 and few would be surprised if he breaks into the top 20 at some point in 2022, with his brand of power hitting emerging as a real threat to the game’s biggest names.
Latest
-
NewsKyle Edmund has US Open in his sights after Wimbledon return
The former world number 14 and gram slam semi-finalist has been sidelined for 20 months and undergone three knee operations.
-
WimbledonSimona Halep continues push to regain Wimbledon title
The 2019 champion took her SW19 winning streak to 11 matches by beating fourth seed Paula Badosa in under an hour.
-
WimbledonNick Kyrgios reflects: My agent had to come get me out of a pub
Nick Kyrgios is enjoying getting under people’s skin during his Wimbledon run.
-
Tennis NewsRafael Nadal vs Roger Federer the most interesting rival according to former champion
“I think both of them have taken the game to a different level,” Wilander said.
-
WimbledonInjury cloud hangs over Nick Kyrgios despite gaining Wimbledon quarter-finals
Kyrgios kept his focus on tennis in a 4-6 6-4 7-6 (2) 3-6 6-2 victory.
-
Tennis NewsJohn McEnroe: The wit and wisdom of the outspoken former World No 1
John McEnroe has always had plenty to say.
-
Wimbledon‘Where is Peng Shuai?’ t-shirts see activists ‘harassed’ by security
The group said they had come to Wimbledon to “raise a bit of awareness” after the conversation around the Chinese tennis player had “died down”.
-
WimbledonWimbledon CEO stands by decision to ban Russia and Belarusia players, confirms appeal against WTA fine
AELTC chief executive Sally Bolton said the organisation “deeply disappointed” by reaction to bans.
-
WimbledonWimbledon chief defends scheduling after criticism following Novak Djokovic’s late night
Novak Djokovic’s match against Tim van Rijthoven finished just before 11pm.
-
WimbledonNick Kyrgios’ dad unimpressed by Wimbledon double standards while his brother defends ‘trash talk’
Nick Kyrgios “trash talk” defended by his brother.