Carlos Alcaraz: 19-year-old wins tennis US Open; becomes world's number 1 

New York:  Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz completed his rapid rise to the top of the tennis world, claiming his first Grand Slam title and taking the number one ranking with a 6-4 2-6 7-6(1) 6-3 win over Norway's Casper Ruud in the US Open final. 

The 19-year-old is the youngest men's Grand Slam champion since Rafael Nadal won the French Open in 2005, becoming the first teenager to climb to the summit in the 49-year history of the ATP rankings. 

After hitting a routine forehand long on his first championship point, Alcaraz took his second with a service winner out wide and instantly fell flat on his back in celebration in New York. 

The sportsman, who saved two set points in the third which would have put Ruud ahead, ran up to his team in the stands and danced with them in a huddle, before returning to his seat where he was crying at the same time as smiling.

Walking out for his first Grand Slam final at age 19, Carlos Alcaraz bumped fists with fans leaning over a railing along the path leading to the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. 

"This is something which I dreamt of since I was a kid, being number one in the world and a champion of a Grand Slam," said Alcaraz, who saved a match point against Jannik Sinner in the last eight to reach his first major semi-final.

"It is something I have worked very hard for. It is really, really special."

Alcaraz is imbued with boundless enthusiasm and energy, not to mention skill, speed, stamina and sangfroid. And now he’s a U.S. Open champion and the No. 1 player in men’s tennis. 

Using his uncommon combination of moxie and maturity, Alcaraz beat Casper Ruud 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3 on Sunday to both earn the trophy at Flushing Meadows and become the youngest man to lead the ATP rankings.

“Everything came so fast. For me it’s unbelievable. It’s something I dreamed since I was a kid, since I started playing tennis,” said Alcaraz, whom folks of a certain age might still consider a kid.

The Spaniard was serenaded by choruses of “Olé, Olé, Olé! Carlos!” that reverberated off the arena’s closed roof — and Alcaraz often motioned for the spectators to get louder. 

Alcaraz said he is hungry for more after getting his first taste of Grand Slam glory. 

"I want to be in the top for many, many weeks. I hope many years," he said. 

"I'm going to work hard again after this amazing two weeks. I'm going to fight to have more of this."

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES