Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz has won the US Open. The 19-year-old tennis player defeated Norwegian Casper Ruud in four sets in his first final of a grand slam tournament: 6-4 2-6 7-6 (1), 6-3.
With the win of the US Open, Alcaraz is also the new number one in the world ranking. He takes over that position from Daniil Medvedev. The Russian defending champion was eliminated in the fourth round and lost his leading position. Alcaraz is the youngest number one in the world.
There was a lot at stake in the final in New York for both Alcaraz and Ruud. Besides the fact that the winner could call himself the new number one a day later, there was also a prize pool of 2.6 million euros.
“I have always dreamed of being the number 1 in the world and of becoming a grand slam champion,” Alcaraz said after the match in New York. “It’s hard for me to put into words right now. I am very emotional.”