Getty/Tim Clayton
Carlos Alcaraz's historic US Open victory means he is now the youngest men's World No. 1 in ATP rankings history.
The 19-year-old Spaniard beat Norway's Casper Ruud 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 in a thrilling men's singles final at Flushing Meadows on Sunday.
The win saw Alcaraz secure his first ever Grand Slam title and overtake Russia's Daniil Medvedev at the top of the ATP rankings.
Only three other men from Spain – Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Moya, and Rafael Nadal – have been World No. 1 since the ATP rankings were established in 1973.
"This is something I dreamed of since I was a kid, to be number one in the world, to be the champion at a Grand Slam," Alcaraz said in his on-court interview.
"All the hard work that I did with my team, with my family. I'm just 19 years old so all of the tough decisions are with my parents and my team as well.
"This is something that is really, really special for me."
Speaking to reporters later, he added: "It's crazy for me. I never thought I was going to achieve something like this at 19 years old."
—Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) September 12, 2022
Nadal, who was eliminated from this year's US Open in the fourth round by America's Frances Tiafoe, was quick to congratulate Alcaraz.
"Congratulations for your first Grand Slam and for number 1, which is the culmination of your first great season, which I am sure will be many more!" Nadal wrote on Twitter.
Asked about Nadal's comment, Alcaraz said: "Well, I have one. He has 22. I'm on the way. Right now I'm enjoying the moment. I'm enjoying having the trophy in my hands.
"Of course, I'm hungry for more. I want to be at the top for many, many weeks. I hope many years.
"I'm going to work hard again after this week, these amazing two weeks. I'm going to fight to have more of this."
