CNN
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To many on the surface, Carlos Alcaraz lifting the US Open trophy seemed just like the fruits of years of exhausting work, dedication and sacrifice. To Alcaraz himself, nonetheless, his first grand slam triumph is barely the start.
It’s telling of the 19-year-old’s decided character and aggressive nature that he already has his sights set on one other grand slam win in 2023.
Alcaraz’s victory in New York after two weeks of grueling tennis – the teenager performed three consecutive marathon five-set matches within the rounds main into the ultimate – makes him the youngest participant to win a grand slam since Rafael Nadal lifted the primary of his 14 French Open titles in 2005.
Each hailing from Spain and being naturals on clay, the comparisons between Alcaraz and Nadal had been inevitable. Regardless of idolizing Nadal whereas rising up, Alcaraz has at all times batted away ‘the following Nadal’ or ‘mini Nadal’ monikers, as a substitute insisting he desires to carve out his personal legacy.
On Sunday, he took the primary – and maybe hardest – step on that journey.
“I labored actually, actually exhausting the final couple of years, I suffered so much as nicely on this path to achieve this trophy,” Alcaraz advised CNN Sport’s Carolyn Manno after his four-set win over Casper Ruud. “In fact, it’s time to nonetheless hold working, to remain on the high for a few years or attempt to get extra grand slams.
READ: Carlos Alcaraz seals place in historical past with defeat of Casper Ruud in US Open closing
“It’s not at all times joyful on the trail, it’s important to undergo so much, a number of powerful moments in your life, so it’s important to overcome that. I labored, actually, actually exhausting for this.
“I’ve bought the primary one at 19 years previous, I hope to get one other one subsequent yr, however I suffered so much these two weeks, so I do know it’s actually, actually powerful to get a grand slam, however I’ll work for an additional one. I’ll battle to get one other one and so this can be a aim for me subsequent yr.”
Together with his victory, Alcaraz additionally claims the No. 1 world rating for the primary time, changing into the youngest participant in ATP historical past to take action. It’s a becoming strategy to cap what has been an astonishing breakout yr for the younger man from El Palmar within the area of Murcia.
After successful his maiden ATP title in 2021, Alcaraz has flourished additional in 2022, successful 4 titles – together with two Masters 1000 tournaments – to stand up the rankings from No. 32 in the beginning of the yr.
Sunday’s battle towards Ruud is a match-up tennis followers are more likely to see far more of sooner or later, with the Norwegian tipped by many to be a future grand slam champion.
After clinching match level, a visibly emotional Alcaraz fell to ground, although that probably might have been as a lot right down to exhaustion because it was emotion. He someway managed to seek out the energy to climb by means of the stands to achieve his supporter’s field, sharing hugs with pals, household and his coach, former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero.
“This second means so much to me, it’s one thing I used to be in search of since I began enjoying tennis,” Alcaraz stated after his victory. “I labored actually, actually exhausting to have the ability to raise this trophy as we speak, to turn out to be the most effective participant on the planet. For me, this sense is indescribable, so this trophy means so much to me.
“I considered once I began enjoying tennis and, in fact, all of my household, all of my coaches throughout my life, every little thing from what I used to be a child. When you’re a child, you at all times dream about a number of issues and to be No. 1 on the planet and to be a champion of a grand slam had been goals for me.
“So proper now lifting this trophy is a dream come true for me, so I’m so joyful.”
Nadal was among the many first individuals to supply plaudits for Alcaraz’s achievement, with some viewing his victory in New York because the official passing of the torch for Spanish tennis.
“Congratulations @carlosalcaraz in your first Grand Slam and for the number one rating, which is the fruits of your first nice season and of which I’m positive there will probably be many extra!” the 22-time grand slam champion wrote on Twitter.
With the ability, will and willpower that had been on show in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday, it seems as if Spain will proceed to have tennis glory to have a good time for years to come back.
