It is the second Grand Slam final that Ruud has lost this year, following the defeat at the French Open. Even then, a Spaniard lined up for the opposition when Rafael Nadal took home the championship in two sets.
– We knew what we were playing for, what was at stake. It’s funny that both finalists are in first and second place in the world. I think that’s right, I’m obviously disappointed that I’m not number one in the world, but obviously number two is good too, and I’ll keep chasing first place and my first Grand Slam title, Ruud says in his post-match speech. .
The US Open final was a much more balanced story than the French Open. The fighters started off by winning every set, and in the third it was Ruud’s lead. But after losing the set point, Alcaraz managed to force a tiebreak, which he then comfortably took home.
It turned out to be decisive, and in the fourth set the Norwegian didn’t have much to fight against.
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Photo: Mary Altaffer / AP
The championship is over with a serve, then Alcaraz lay down on his back on the pitch and hid his face in his hands, before there was a party of hugs in the stands.
The final scores were 6–4, 2–6, 7–6, 6–3 for Alcaraz.
Carlos Alcaraz makes history by becoming the youngest male tennis player to become world number one at the age of 19. However, he falls a bit short of record holder Martina Hingis, who became world number one at 16 in 1997.
The question is whether this is a change of throne assisted by the male side of tennis, which has long been dominated by Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Alcaraz is the youngest Grand Slam winner among men since Nadal won the French Open at 19.
Alcaraz says the title and becoming world number one was the goal.
– It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was little, being number one in the world, becoming a Grand Slam champion is something I’ve really worked hard for, he says from the pitch and continues:
– It’s hard to talk, there are so many emotions.
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Photo: John Minchillo / AP
With a solid forehand and an avid chaser of tricky balls that many others would drop, he’s a bundle of energy on the pitch. His total playing time during the tournament was close to one day, or more precisely 23 hours and 40 minutes spread over seven games, including a trio of five sets before the final. And for the first time during the tournament, the young Spaniard admits that he is a little tired.
– A little, he says with a smile and continues:
– I always say that this is not the time to be tired during a tournament, you have to give everything on the pitch and give everything you have in you. It’s something I work very hard for.
In addition to the honor, Alcaraz receives 2.6 million dollars (about 27.5 million crowns), double what Ruud receives as a runner-up.