Spanish teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest men’s Grand Slam champion since Rafael Nadal in 2005 after winning 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 in the US Open final against Casper Ruud.
The 19-year-old fulfilled his potential as a future Grand Slam champion and world number one by beating Casper Ruud in his first major final to achieve both feats.
Ruud, who would have become the new world number one if he had won, has now lost both of his two major finals. Alcaraz, instead, replaces Russia’s Daniil Medvedev at the top, 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.
Alcaraz 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.