(Tennis news) Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest tennis player to be ranked World Number 1 after the Spaniard defeated Casper Ruud 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 in the final of the US Open. The 19 year old first gained worldwide attention by reaching the quarter-finals of the same tournament a year ago and went on to win titles in Miami and Madrid, defeating the likes of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The final was played under the roof as it was raining outside and Alcaraz secured an early lead with a break in the third game.

Casper Ruud showed great sporting spirit by giving his opponent a point after the umpire missed a double bounce as Alcaraz went on to take the first set. In the second set, the Spaniard forced a breakpoint at 2-2 but Ruud fought back and switched the momentum. The Norwegian managed to get four games in a row as Alcaraz’s performance levels dipped but the teenager ended up fighting back in the third set. In the fourth set, Alcaraz took a 4-2 lead before securing his historic win at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. 

Speaking after the match, Alcaraz said “All the hard work I did with my team, my family. I'm just 19 years old so a lot of the decisions are with my team, my parents. It's something that is very special to me. I always said it's not time to be tired in the final round of a Grand Slam. You have to give everything on court, everything you have inside." His opponent Casper Ruud said “It's tough to explain everything but things have been going so well. Today was a special day. Both Carlos and I knew what was at stake. It's fun that both finalists will be number two and number one. I'm disappointed of course that I'm not number one but number two is not too bad either and I will continue to chase for my first Grand Slam title." 

Also read: US Open: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Jannik Sinner in five hour thriller