Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz has a double date with history this Sunday when he will face Casper Ruud of Norway in the US Open final, with the possibility of winning his first career ‘big’ and becoming world number one. The youngest
Alcaraz’s biggest childhood dream was to be number one in the world rankings.even more than winning a ‘Grand Slam’, as he himself admits. This Sunday, he won’t have to choose, it will be an all-or-nothing final for both him and Ruud, who will go from seventh to first if he lifts the championship in New York.
19 years old and togetherTwo .000 Masters titles in your pocketAlcaraz could make history and snatch the record for the youngest number one in history from Australian Lleyton Hewitt, and also become the youngest US Open champion since America did it. Peter Sampras in 1990.
Only four Spanish tennis players have been number one in the world: Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (1995), Carlos Moyá (2003), Juan Carlos Ferrero (2003), head coach of Alcaraz, and Rafa Nadal (2008).
“I see number one in the world close, but also very far,” said Alcaraz after winning the semi-final against American Frances Tiafoe after another victory in a five-set marathon.
Murcian is used to playing at dawn in New York and feels at home on Arthur Ashe field, where he played five sets against the Croats. Marin Cilic, Italian Jannik Sinner and Tiafoe.
“I never give a ball to lose“Assured Alcaraz as he analyzed his brilliant balance in a five-set match, where he won eight of nine games, with the only exception being the loss to Matteo Berrettini in Australia.
Mental preparation is key.
Prior to this tournament, Alcaraz had never gone further than the quarterfinals in a ‘Grand Slam’ and it’s clear that managing emotions will be key to capturing the title.
It is measured by a Ruud who is already a finalist at Roland Garros this year.Here he fell to Rafa Nadal, making the biggest jump ever in the world rankings if he wins, moving from seventh to first place.
But Alcaraz already knows what it’s like to beat the Norwegian. beating him in the finals in Miami this year and Marbella in 2021twice in two sets.
I already beat him in Miami, I’m a player capable of beating him at a Grand Slam, he’s already played a grand finale, he already knows what it’s like to have that moment, he has that experience and it’s new to me,” Alcaraz said after beating Tiafoe.
Ruud, who won nine championships in his career, but still no ‘big’ or Masters 1000She reached the final by defeating the Russian Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals.
Alcaraz will try to play this finale “like any other game” and is just one step away from making history. The appointment is this Sunday at 16:00 local time (20:00 GMT) at an Arthur Ashe circuit where the cheapest tickets are around $300.