NEW YORK – Carlos Alcaraz claimed the U.S. Open crown for a second time along with his win over Jannik Sinner on Sunday, a victory which showcased the Spaniard’s evolution over the past three years from the impulsiveness of youth to the measured maturity of a six-time Grand Slam winner.
After shedding the Wimbledon closing to Sinner in July, Alcaraz bounced again with aptitude and authority to beat the Italian 6-2 3-6 6-1 6-4 on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 22-year-old, who received his first Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows in 2022, additionally returned to the highest of the rankings for the primary time since 2023 with the win over his nice rival.
“The primary (rating) is a aim that I had set myself nearly at first of the 12 months and to see that I’ve achieved it’s one thing unbelievable,” a smiling Alcaraz informed reporters.
“Doing it the identical day as getting one other Grand Slam feels even higher.
“It has been two spectacular weeks, at a really excessive stage tennis-wise, however above all mentally, which I’m very pleased with.
“The primary U.S. Open (title) was about my youth and this one is extra maturity. Little by little I am rising, I am understanding easy methods to take care of sure conditions.”
The transformation from his Wimbledon heartbreak confirmed Alcaraz’s exceptional adaptability.
“Proper after the Wimbledon closing I simply thought that I would like to enhance if I need to beat him,” the Spaniard stated.
“If I need to win the U.S. Open, if I need to beat Jannik, I’ve to play good.”
His efficiency at Flushing Meadows was certainly near perfection.
The Spaniard dropped only one set – in opposition to Sinner on Sunday – en path to the championship, and he leaves New York on a 13-match profitable streak and along with his seventh title of the season within the bag.
“I really feel like that is one of the best event to this point that I’ve ever performed,” Alcaraz added. “The consistency of my stage throughout the entire event has been actually excessive, which I am actually pleased with.”
His coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, highlighted how a lot he has developed since profitable his first main in 2022.
“Again then, he was nonetheless enjoying on impulse, nearly unconsciously,” he stated. “Right this moment you see a participant with rather more expertise, who is aware of easy methods to learn the massive moments, who arrives on court docket calmer, clearer about what he must do.”
The previous French Open champion confused, nevertheless, that Alcaraz remains to be a piece in progress.
“Like all participant he has weaknesses, however he is bettering them on a regular basis,” Ferrero added. “There’s nonetheless loads of room to develop. If we ever assume he is good, that is once we’ll be making the largest mistake.”
Alcaraz is already occupied with his subsequent large aim – profitable the Australian Open to finish a profession Grand Slam.
“It is my first aim, to finish a profession Grand Slam. It is at all times been in my thoughts,” he stated.
“I am going to attempt to full it subsequent 12 months, but when it is not subsequent 12 months, then in two, three, or 4. I simply need to full it.” —Reuters