Carlos Alcaraz, 19, Becomes Youngest World No. 1 In Men's Atp Rankings History

Carlos Alcaraz won the 2022 US Open on Sunday, earning his first Grand Slam title. The 19-year-old also became the youngest world No. 1 in the history of the ATP rankings. Alcaraz's previous career-high was No. 4, but he has done all the right things this year to make the jump and solidify the fact that he is Spain's next tennis star.

Alcaraz is the first teenage World No. 1 and also the fourth male Spanish player to reach that ranking, joining his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Moya, and Rafael Nadal.

He achieved this by taking a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3 victory against Casper Ruud at Flushing Meadows. If Ruud had won, he would've been No. 1. Alcaraz gave some jaw-dropping performances during his US Open run, including intense five-set battles against Jannik Sinner and Frances Tiafoe. 

"I would say I overcame myself a little bit," Alcaraz said during the press conference. "I mean, yeah, I played a great matches, high intensity, during the two weeks that I've never done before."