The 2022 US Open was the Grand Slam which catapulted a Murcia magician from teenage prodigy to a major, household superstar.
On court for a total of 23 hours and 39 minutes of play across his seven matches, the soaring Spaniard well and truly deserved his maiden Grand Slam triumph. Basically a full day in the making and what a day from Carlos Alcaraz.
The 19-year-old breezed through his opening three tests, prior to a four-set arm wrestle with 2014 champion Marin Cilic.
Then came the three matches to signal the Spaniard as a future modern-day great.
Alcaraz downed Jannik Sinner in five pulsating sets and then went the distance again two days later across the net from home hope Frances Tiafoe in an electric encounter.
That was all before his trademark smile was gracing the trophy presentation following a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3 scoreline over Casper Ruud.
His first Grand Slam title, the world No.1 ranking as a reward, made him the youngest men’s major singles champion since his idol Rafael Nadal won the 2005 Roland Garros. Welcome to the big time, Charly.
The Hollywood-worthy 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-7(0), 7-5, 6-3 quarterfinal bout with Sinner is ringed in the record books as the true firestarter of their generational rivalry.
“It was a rollercoaster,” declared Alcaraz earlier this fortnight. “It was one of the best matches that I've played in my career so far. I remember a few things from that match—saving match point, the shot from (behind) the back.
“It was really good highlights. I remember that I run from side to side during the whole match, five hours and 15 minutes. The second-longest match that I have ever played. I remember that the level from that match was really, really high.
“From that match, the people have talked about our rivalry, and I think from that match our rivalry had a place [in] tennis history.
“It's just great, and thanks to that match, I grew up a lot. I have to deal with some situations, and sometimes I just think about the match— the way that I felt physically and the way that I just managed everything.”
Now that is an impressive memory from an ultra-impressive performance.
Three years on and Alcaraz has had a much smoother ride into the semifinals at Flushing Meadows, without any rollercoasters or without dropping a set.
Since ruling New York, the world No. 2 has added Roland Garros (2024-'25) and Wimbledon (2023-'24) trophies to his major collection.
Since ruling New York, Alcaraz has maintained his cartoon-screeching speed, has continued to sharpen his skillset, packing on more muscle and adding in the occasional buzz cut.
A key area of evolution has been the serve, providing the launchpad for the 22-year-old to truly express himself in the Grand Slam arena.
The stats from this fortnight in Queens say it all. He’s landed 64% of first serves in the box, winning 84% of those points. Dominating proceedings, Alcaraz has also has won 68 of 69 service games, striking 31 aces and only offering up 12 doubles faults along the way.
In nine hours and 33 minutes on court so far, that is elite.
“I've been improving myself a lot, and just every practice, every match I've been trying to feel more comfortable with the movement, with hitting good serves, and the percentage as well for me, it's really important,” explained Alcaraz, elated by his delivery from the baseline.
“Tennis, it's really hard sometimes, because one day you can serve really, really well, and the next match you can feel completely different and really bad. So I'm trying to maintain the focus on the serve, just trying to do everything the same and getting the good feeling.
“So far the serve has been really important to me, to my game. Hopefully keep improving and keep feeling better with it.”
Tuesday’s emphatic 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 quarterfinal procession past Jiri Lehecka prompted the Czech youngster to say, “I met the Grand Slam version of Carlos” and that “he had an answer for everything I tried.”
Such praise delighted Alcaraz, who is in fine fettle to double his US Open trophy tally.
“It feels great hearing those words from my opponent,” stated the Spaniard, up against 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic in a box office Friday.
“Playing great and feeling really comfortable. I think today I just played almost perfect match, I would say… Just two more steps to do, and let's see what happens.
“I’m just feeling great and hungry to make it.”
