At only 18 years old, the Spanish tennis player is the second best player of the season and is delighted to win a Grand Slam. In less than a year, he has already achieved an ATP 250, a 500 and a Masters 1000, threatening the hegemony of the sport’s white legends.
At just 18 years old, Carlos Alcaraz revolutionized world tennis. His title at the Miami Masters 1000 places him as the undisputed candidate to replace Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. He turned professional at the age of 14 and at that age he got his first ATP point. However, his real explosion began when tennis resumed after the pandemic. There he made three challengers and his journey continued until he won his first ATP 250 at Umag 2021.
Hand in hand with former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero, the young promise had clear objectives. Indeed, at the end of 2020, his coach made a prediction that ended up being largely exceeded. “If he continues with the hunger he has shown and we are able to be consistent throughout the year, I think Carlos can reach the top 50.” , he said at the time. And the objective was more than fulfilled, since he finished 2021 in 32nd place.
This year his numbers are insane, he won the ATP 500 in Rio and now he has added his first Masters 1000 in Miami which puts him in second place in the ATP Race To Turin, only passed by Nadal. Now the logical step is a Grand Slam. And Carlitos does not take up the challenge. “I would tell you that I am prepared, I have confidence, physically, mentally. Maybe not to win Roland Garros, who knows, but a Grand Slam this year. I’m not afraid to say it. There are Nadal, Djokovic, Tsitsipas, Medvedev, who are the best in the world and favorites for these tournaments, but I’m not afraid to say I’m ready to win one.” said in a conference with Spanish media.
Recordings
At 18, Carlos Alcaraz can already boast of 51 victories at the ATP level. In other words, he beats Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, who had to wait until they were 19 to reach those numbers. And it only took three months longer than Nadal to reach that mark.
On the other hand, he became the third tennis player the youngest to win a Masters 1000 after Michael Chang and Rafael Nadal and the least experienced player to win in Miami and the only tennis player from his country to win there, since incredibly Rafa, who reached five finals, He could never win the tournament that gave Marcelo Ríos number one in 1998.
Alcaraz is also motivated by a video recommended by his physiotherapist. “Juanjo (Moreno) told me. Every day I lay my brick and that’s the key: lay it in the best and most perfect way possible, not to make your wall bigger or more impressive. That’s about it,” reflected the Murcian.
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Source: Latercera
I’m Todderic Kirkman, a journalist and author for athletistic. I specialize in covering all news related to sports, ranging from basketball to football and everything in between. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, I have become an invaluable asset to my team. My ambition is to bring the most up-to-date information on sports topics around the world.
