WATCH: The sensational best of teenaged Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz has turned 20 ending a teenaged run unmatched since Rafael Nadal burst on the scene.
Alcaraz spent 20 weeks at the summit of the ATP Rankings after he rose to top spot for the first time following his 2022 US Open triumph.
He might return to the top as a 20-year-old next week in Rome, but he ended his teens with another win in Spain.
Alcaraz doesn’t give up on points, making him an extremely watchable player and someone who inspires great belief.
He was just 19 when he rose to No 1 in the ATP Rankings for the first time, making him the only teenager in the Open Era to top the men’s rankings.
Alcaraz was also just 18 when he lifted his maiden ATP Tour title in Umag, becoming the youngest tour-level champion since an 18-year-old Kei Nishikori won the ATP 250 in Delray Beach in 2008.
In a curious piece of alignment, he beat Botic van de Zandschulp on Court 17 when aged 17 while making his Grand Slam main-draw debut at the Australian Open in 2021.
Alcaraz downed Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-6(2) in Rio de Janeiro in 2020 on what was his ATP Tour debut.
His 2022 season was an incredible breakout campaign when he clinched his first ATP Masters 1000 crown in Miami, becoming the youngest champion in that tournament’s history.
Incredibly Alcaraz has played a dozen ATP Tour finals as a teenager winning nine titles, earning 16 match wins over top ten players to boot.
After winning the title in Barcelona in 2022, the Spaniard rose into the Top 10 for the first time.
He was the youngest player to break into the Top 10 since Rafael Nadal did so 17 years ago, when he also won his maiden Barcelona title.
On his 20th birthday, Alcaraz competed in his sixth ATP Masters 1000 semi-final against Borna Coric in Madrid, downing the Croatian to reach his 13th ATP Tour final.
Alcaraz upset the event’s top three seeds, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Alexander Zverev, on his way to the Madrid title in 2022. He also became the first player to defeat both the Serbian and the Spaniard on clay in the same tournament and in successive matches.
READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz claims 20th straight win on Spanish soil to celebrate 20th birthday
Alcaraz defeated Tallon Griekspoor in Indian Wells in 2023 to become the second fastest player to reach the 100 Tour-level wins milestone, after only John McEnroe.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Andy Murray issues ‘very disappointing’ injury update as he pulls out of two tournaments
“This is very disappointing news for Andy and he has reiterated his desire to get back on court as soon as possible.”
-
Tennis News
Elena Rybakina addresses Roger Federer trait she shares and makes confession about Miami run
“I think it’s just the character, but also if sometimes you can notice that I’m also negative.”
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz candidly admits how Grigor Dimitrov made him feel in Miami masterclass
“I was talking to my team saying that I don’t know what I have to do. I don’t know his weakness.”
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz forced to accept brutal reality as he slumps to shock Miami Open defeat
Carlos Alcaraz could have no complaints as he was forced to accept the brutal reality that he was beaten by a better player.
-
Tennis News
Alexander Zverev just happy to be back competing against the best
Alexander Zverev has said that he savours being competitive in big tournaments.
-
Tennis News
WTA star announces that she is expecting a baby girl
Alison Riske-Amritraj will be having a daughter.
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner breaks new ground for an Italian player with $20 million milestone
Jannik Sinner will become the first Italian player to bank $20 million in ATP Tour prize money after the Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz identifies key Grigor Dimitrov threat as he seeks revenge in Miami showdown
Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov have looked ahead to their Miami Open match.
-
WTA Tour
Charleston Open hand former No 1 wildcard to start her clay season
Wildcards were forthcoming for former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, world No 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Charleston-native Shelby Rogers.
-
Tennis News
Former world No 1 weighs in on Iga Swiatek’s ‘aura’ as he makes ‘intimidating’ claim
“The more accomplishments Iga Swiatek has, the more intimidating it is to play her.”