At the age of only 18 years, 2 months and 20 days, Alcaraz took his first title on the ATP Tour when he defeated French veteran Richard Gasquet 6-2, 6-2 on the gravel in the Croatian Umag.
Alcaraz is only eight days older than Rafael Nadal was when he won his first title in Polish Sopot 17 years ago. The 18-year-old is also the youngest champion on the ATP tour since Kei Nishikori in 2008.
Nadal has previously praised his countryman, ranked 73rd in the world.
“He is already at a very high level and I think he will be a fantastic player in the future,” Nadal said in an interview on the ATP Tour’s website in May after defeating Alcaraz at the Madrid Open.
– As a Spanish player and Spanish supporter, I really think we need someone like him.
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