Carlos Alcaraz’s U.S. Open championship moved him to No. 1 on Monday at age 19, making him the youngest man to lead the ATP computerized rankings since they began in 1973.
Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, reacts after scoring a point against Casper Ruud, of Norway, during the men’s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
“It’s a dream. At the moment, I can’t believe I reached No. 1. It’s going to take time to understand it,” Alcaraz said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I have to move on and find new goals. I have to keep at this level, at No. 1, for many years. That’s my goal — and, of course, to get more Grand Slams.”
U.S. Open men’s singles tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz poses in Times Square, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
The Spaniard’s victory by a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3 score over Casper Ruud in Sunday’s final allowed Alcaraz to win his first major title and to replace 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev atop the rankings.
Casper Ruud, of Norway, reacts after scoring a point against Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, during the men’s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Alcaraz’s three-spot jump from No. 4 ties the mark for biggest move up to No. 1.
U.S. Open men’s singles tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz walks in Times Square, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Ruud, a 23-year-old from Norway, went from No. 7 to No. 2 after reaching his second major final of the season. He was the runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the French Open in June.
Sunday’s matchup was the first Grand Slam final featuring two men both trying to win a first Slam trophy and with No. 1 on the line, too.
U.S. Open men’s singles tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz poses in Times Square, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
“He’s riding that wave. At the moment, he’s the best player in the world, in my eyes. He deserves that spot,” Ruud said. “I’m happy that we played each other in the final and that we played for the title and the world No. 1 spot.”
Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, returns a shot to Andrey Rublev, of Russia, during the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Nadal also entered the U.S. Open with a chance to move back up to No. 1, but he stayed at No. 3 after losing in the fourth round to Frances Tiafoe, who wound up being the first American man in the semifinals at Flushing Meadows in 16 years and going from No. 26 to a career-high No. 19.
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, waves to fans after his loss to Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Medvedev dropped to No. 4, and Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev went from No. 2 to No. 5 after sitting out the U.S. Open because of torn ligaments in his right ankle.
Daniil Medvedev serves to Nick Kyrgios of Australia during second round play at the National Bank Open tennis tournament Wednesday Aug. 10, 2022. in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Novak Djokovic missed his second Grand Slam tournament this season because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and slid one place down to No. 7.
FILE – Serbia’s Novak Djokovic holds the winners trophy as he poses for photographers after he defeated Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in the men’s singles final on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. Novak Djokovic will be allowed to defend his title at Wimbledon, despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19, because the shots are not required to enter Britain, All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton said Tuesday, April 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
U.S. Open women’s singles tennis champion Iga Swiatek poses at “Top of the Rock,” in New York’s Rockefeller Center, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)Iga Swiatek, of Poland, holds up the championship trophy after defeating Ons Jabeur, of Tunisia, to win the women’s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Swiatek also won the French Open and is the first woman in six years to claim two Slams in one season.
Ons Jabeur, of Tunisia, holds up the runner up trophy after losing to Iga Swiatek, of Poland, during the women’s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, returns a shot to Jaqueline Adina Cristian, of Romania, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Anett Kontaveit slipped one spot to No. 3 after losing in the second round of the U.S. Open to Serena Williams.
Serena Williams, of the United States, returns the ball during a match with Nuria Parrizas-Diaz, of Spain, during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Two American players are in the top 10 in career-best positions after reaching the quarterfinals: Jessica Pegula at No. 5 and Coco Gauff at No. 8.
Jessica Pegula of the U.S. returns the ball to Poland’s Iga Swiatek during their quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium Wednesday, June 1, 2022 in Paris. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)Coco Gauff of the US returns the ball to Amanda Anisimova of the US in a third round women’s singles match on day six of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Saturday, July 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
