Carlos Alcaraz started the second week of 2022 as the world No. 33, but in just nine amazing months he rose past the elite of the sport to become the youngest number 1 in the history of the PIF ATP ranking on 12 September.
By bursting on stage in 2021 as an 18-year-old prodigy, the Spaniard immediately attracted attention with his electrical talent. With his first title at Tour level in Umag, Alcaraz made sure that he would start with 2022 being first full season on the ATP-Tour-Gerangen arranged in the top 50 in the world. From the beginning, his varied shot and the ability to adjust over surfaces was unmistakable.
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Alcaraz announced herself with early sparkle in 2022, dazzling on the way to the ATP 500 crown in Rio before he reached the semi-final in Indian Wells-where he pushed his idols, Rafael Nadal, to three sets. He then claimed his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Miami. Although Alcaraz suffered a disappointing first round exit in Monte-Carlo, the teenager entered the top 10 for the first time and did not stop there.
On a home floor, the then 19-year-old rose on successive titles in Barcelona and in Madrid, where he became the youngest player who beat Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the same tournament. On the way to the North American Hard-Court Swing, Alcaraz had delivered 4,270 PIF ATP rankings to not only strengthen his status among the favorites for the US Open, but to put it in strong position to qualify for the Nitto ATP finals.
At Flushing Meadows, the third placed Alcaraz was placed in an exhausting second week by his passes. His epic five-hour, 15-minute victory at Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals-de on two the second longest match in the American Open History-Werd followed by another five-seeded against Frances Tiafoe to set up a final with Casper Ruud. The championship match against the Norwegian doubled as a straight shooting to rise to world no. 1.
The tension was felt in Arthur Ashe Stadium, but Alcaraz held his nerve over four exciting sets to secure the first place and became the youngest player to reach the Pinnacle in the history of the PIF ATP rankings in 19 years and four months.
“It’s crazy for me. I never thought I would achieve something like that at the age of 19,” said Alcaraz after the final. “Everything came so fast. For me it is incredible. It is something I have dreamed of since I was a child because I started playing tennis. Of course it is great for me to lift this trophy for me.”
Although Alcaraz suffered a belly crack who kept him from the Nitto ATP final in Turin, where he qualified in the pole position, he was still present to receive ATP at the end of the year 1 presented by Pif Honors. The Spaniard, who spent a first 20 weeks on top, became the youngest player in the history who received the prize.
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