Teen phenoms are an increasingly regular sight on the sports scene with youngsters barely out of their school uniforms showing the rewards of diligence and hard work across various disciplines like golf, football, and, in ever-increasing numbers, top flight tennis.
But rarely do we see a youngster show their intentions as clearly, and achieve their goal as thoroughly, as young teenage tennis sensation Carlos Alvarez.
In only his second year on the ATP, the young Spaniard has put his desire to win right out into the public space, and tennis lovers and fans – and those players who are set to face him on centre court – would do well to take notice, because he is well on his way to be the flag-bearer of a new generation of stars.
As he has shown at this year’s US Open he’s not waiting for anything or anybody.
He wanted it now, and he got it now.
A meteoric rise
His maiden grand slam title was a lesson in determination, a masterclass in fight, fire, and fortitude as he overcame a fierce challenge from Casper Ruud. Talent has a huge role to play but it was his athleticism, his grit, and his incredible shot selection at the end that paved the way for a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3 victory over the Norwegian.
After claiming the first of what should be many titles in a still fledgling career, and even after a gruelling match against a far more experienced opponent, the emotional Spaniard was bubbling with enthusiasm. “It’s crazy for me. I’ve never thought that I was going to achieve something like that at 19 years old,” Alcaraz said.
And it’s obvious that he’s hungry for more.
A new generation of rising young stars
The game of tennis is no stranger to teenage phenoms but something feels a little different about Alcaraz. Winning games, taking titles, and breaking records along the path to his first major victory is impressive enough, but Alcaraz has an even bigger reason to be hailed as the frontrunner of the next up-and-comers. On Monday he will take the title of world No. 1 – and the record of being the youngest ever to do so (more than a year younger than previous record holder, Aussie legend Lleyton Hewitt)
This US Open was also the first time that the match would also decide which of the two competing players would eventually take the No. 1 ranking.
And the second youngest grand slam final since the Agassi/Sampras US Open in 1990.
It feels like the tennis we’ve known for the last decade and a bit is being handed over to a new generation of stars. Now that’s not to say that the old regime doesn’t have a lot of slams left in them yet, but it’s certainly going to be more than just a one or two horse show from here on out.
Talent, stamina, and a fire inside
With a total of just 20 hours and 20 minutes on court, and after having contested three five set matches in a row, it was an incredible feat to win a game against the hardy Ruud. But Alcaraz showed unbelievable stamina and clear talent to answer the big question going into the match: does he have the legs?
And that question was answered most emphatically.
“I always say that there’s no time to be tired,” said Alcaraz. “In the finals of the grand slam or any tournament. You have to give everything on court, you have to give anything you have inside.” That’s easier for a 19-year-old to say than it is for most of the players on the tour, but still – 20 hours of tennis in a week is simply staggering for anybody.
Is he a big bet for the future?
There’s so much about Alcaraz that reminds me of Rafa. There were no question marks surrounding Nadal when he burst onto the scene in 2003 and it would be completely nuts to raise any eyebrows at the pure star quality of Alcaraz. We knew he was coming, we just didn’t think it would be this soon and with this much conviction.
He’s the complete tennis player right now, and that’s the scary part. He has a lot to learn, a lot to improve on and he’s already, in terms of the world rankings, the best in the world. Could it be another longstanding reign of terror? One like Sampras or Federer or Agassi or Djokovic?
We’re betting on yes.