Flashback: Carlos Alcaraz storms onto ATP Tour podium with overnight upset in 2020 | ATP tour | Tennis

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Flashback: Alcaraz storms onto ATP Tour podium with overnight upset in 2020

When he was 16, Alcaraz was ranked No. 406 in the PIF ATP Rankings in Rio de Janeiro
February 21, 2026

Before his meteoric rise to become the youngest No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings in September 2022, Carlos Alcaraz was world No. 406 when he made his ATP Tour debut at the Rio Open presented by Claro on February 17, 2020.

Six years ago this week, then 16, the Spaniard immediately showed a sense of drama in his introduction – a trait that continues to define the superstar’s career. Alcaraz, a wildcard at the Brazilian ATP 500, claimed his first tour-level victory at 3am after three hours and 37 minutes of twists and turns against Albert Ramos-Vinolas on the Brazilian red clay.

From 0-3, 0/40 behind in the deciding set, the Spaniard turned on the aggression to rattle off five games and come to the brink of victory. After showing his style, he relied on guts to close the match in a decisive tie-break, 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-6(2).

“I will remember Rio forever,” Alcaraz said. “I’m very happy to have won my first ATP Tour match. This is the longest and most intense match I’ve played so far. There were quite difficult conditions, but if you have the right attitude, the conditions don’t matter. You can achieve anything.”

That same mentality helped Alcaraz skyrocket up the PIF ATP rankings in the months and years that followed. He finished the 2020 season at No. 141, rose to No. 32 at the end of 2021, and finished 2022 as the year-end No. 1.

“I always have positive thoughts. I always think I can win no matter who the opponent is,” the Spaniard said after beating then world number 41 Ramos-Vinolas. “If you don’t think you can win, you shouldn’t go on the field.”

The victory made Alcaraz the youngest player to win an ATP 500 match in the history of the series (since 2009), the youngest ATP Tour match winner overall since Cristian Garin in 2013 (Vina del Mar) and the youngest Spaniard to win at tour level since Rafael Nadal in 2002 (Mallorca). Alcaraz also became the youngest man to defeat a Top 50 opponent since Richard Gasquet defeated Feliciano Lopez in 2003 (Marseille).

Alcaraz had never faced a Top-100 player in the PIF ATP rankings before, but he showed no fear in his tour-level debut. With the power, variety and shot selection he would soon become famous for, the youngster looked at ease on the big stage.

Building points around his forehand and setting up that shot with heavy topspin backhands, Alcaraz led by a set and a break before Ramos-Vinolas won seven of eight games 2-3 in the second set. But just when it looked like the physicality of the match was becoming too much for the 16-year-old, Alcaraz turned the tide with an outburst of his own.

Although heartbroken in his attempt to serve out the match at 5-4, Alcaraz regrouped and dominated the decisive tie-break, dropping his racket and raising his hands to his face in celebration after sealing the result on his fourth match point.

Alcaraz eventually bowed out to Federico Coria in three sets in the second round of Rio de Janeiro and did not play another tour-level match in 2020. But his win over Ramos-Vinolas, coupled with two ATP Challenger Tour titles later in the year, ensured the hype around the Spaniard continued to grow – with his game developing just as quickly.

While his momentous debut victory ended hours before dawn, it marked the beginning of a rise that would soon light up the ATP Tour. And this week, six years later, Alcaraz is world number 1 and will play in the final of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha.