The 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz has been among the players to beat in the previous two seasons. The youngest world no. 1 in ATP history scored 50 ATP wins in back-to-back U20 seasons, becoming the third player to achieve that in the 21st century! Lleyton Hewitt did that first in 2000 and 2001, notching 141 triumphs on the Tour and winning notable titles. Rafael Nadal joined the party in 2005 and 2006, producing two incredible seasons as the U20 player and notching 138 ATP wins! Nadal became a Major champion and the Tour’s second-strongest link after Roger Federer. Novak Djokovic missed a chance to join the list in 2006 and 2007, and we had to wait for 17 years to place someone by Hewitt’s and Nadal’s name. An 18-year-old Alcaraz kicked off the 2022 season on the verge of the top-30. The young gun embraced 57 triumphs and secured the year-end no. 1 honor! Carlos conquered Rio de Janeiro and Miami in the opening months, becoming one of the youngest Masters 1000 champions.
Carlos Alcaraz has notched two seasons with 50 ATP victories.
A teenager won Barcelona and Madrid and became the world no. 1 contender in the upcoming months. The Spaniard secured his first Major crown at the US Open, prevailing over Jannik Sinner and defeating Frances Tiafoe and Casper Ruud en route to tennis glory. Alcaraz missed the season’s final events due to an injury but still did enough to become the youngest year-end no. 1 player in ATP history, passing Lleyton Hewitt’s record. Carlos has played even better in 2023, winning 53 out of 59 matches ahead of the US Open! The Spaniard missed the Australian Open before winning Indian Wells, celebrating his third Masters 1000 crown at 19!
Alcaraz defended his titles in Barcelona and Madrid, embracing a tight battle for the ATP throne against Novak Djokovic. Carlos and Novak met in the Roland Garros semi-final, and the young gun cracked under pressure after the second set, struggling with cramps and taking only two games in sets three and four. Alcaraz made a fresh start and conquered Queen’s and Wimbledon, showing his skills on the fastest surface despite barely playing on it before! Alcaraz and Djokovic played a thrilling Wimbledon final, and the Spaniard prevailed in the decider to collect his second Major crown at 20. Carlos and Novak embraced another final in Cincinnati, pushing each other to the limits before the Serb prevailed 5-7, 7-6, 7-6 after fending off a match point. Alcaraz scored his 50th victory in Cincinnati, becoming the third U20 player with that many triumphs in back-to-back seasons since 2000.
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