Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest year-end No. 1 in men’s tennis as Rafael Nadal’s slump continues at ATP Finals
Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest year-end No. 1 in men’s tennis as Rafael Nadal’s slump continues at ATP Finals
Rafael Nadal is still reeling from his loss to Viktor Troicki in the U.S. Open final, after being told by his doctors on Monday that he will stop playing at a major in November.
Nadal, who was in line to win his first Roland Garros title until his knee buckled on Sunday, also believes he is unlikely to play at a title event after next month.
In doing so, Alcaraz became the youngest No. 1 year-end ranking of all-time in men’s tennis, and the first Spaniard to reach the summit since Manuel Orantes came within a minute of winning the 1975 French Open against Ivan Lendl at the age of 20 years, 2 months, 10 days.
“It’s an honor for me. When you have a top-five ranking, it’s great to have one among your career,” Alcaraz told The Associated Press.
“I’m so happy that I can be close to the first. It’s a big motivation. As a kid, I always dreamed to have a great career and now I’m achieving that dream.”
The 19-year-old from Spain, who will play at the Australian Open on November 8, won his second ATP title last month in Bali, where he also reached his first major final.
The win made him the first Spaniard to reach a major final since Roger Federer reached his first at the 2009 U.S. Open, and the first No. 1 player in men’s tennis history since Marcelo Rios in 1986.
Nadal is currently ranked No. 1 in the world, and at 27 years, 10 months and four days is now within 2.5 of Rafael Nadal, the man who is still being hailed as the greatest player to
