Carlos Alcaraz won the 2022 US Open and became the youngest leader in ATP history. However, the Iberian admitted that he was very lucky that the BIG 3 were not at their best at Flushing Meadows, with Novak Djokovic not performing at all.

Carlos AlcarazPhoto: TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP / Profimedia

At the age of 19 years, 4 months and 8 days, Carlos won after a spectacular final against Norway’s Ruud 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3.

Novak Djokovic’s message to Carlos Alcaraz, the new star of world tennis

Carlos Alcaraz and the joy of not meeting Novak Djokovic at the US Open 2022

In an interview with The New York Times, Alcaraz admitted that he was lucky that Novak Djokovic was not allowed to play in the 2022 US Open without being vaccinated against Covid.

“Look, I don’t want to take credit, but it’s true that Djokovic, Rafa and Federer were at their peak when they were all playing incredible at the same time.

I was lucky or whatever you want to call it that Djokovic couldn’t play. Everyone has their own reasons, but this is reality.

He couldn’t play much for a while and Rafa continued to play, but he didn’t play for a whole year either.

But like I said, I don’t want to take credit. We’ve played all season, we’ve played incredible matches and incredible tournaments, and we’ve worked hard to do these things.” – Carlos Alcarazreports Eurosport.

As of September 12, 2022, Carlos Alcaraz is number one in the ATP rankings with 6,740 points.

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Carlos Alcaraz, great course at US Open 2022

Round I: 7-5, 7-5, 2-0 vs Sebastian Baez – elimination (37 ATP, 2 hours 27 minutes)

II round: 6-2, 6-1, 7-5 against Federico Coria (78 ATP, 2 h. 10 min.)

Round III: 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 vs Jenson Brooksby (43 ATP, 2h 12m)

Best result: 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 against Marin Cilic (17 ATP, 3 hours 54 minutes)

Quarters: 6-3, (7)6-7, (0)6-7, 7-5, 6-3 vs. Yannick Sinner (13 ATP, 5 h. 16 min.)

Semifinals: (6)6-7, 6-3, 6-1, (5)6-7, 6-3 vs. Francis Tiafoe (26 ATP, 4 h. 20 min.)

Final: 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3 against Kasper Ruud (7 ATP, 3 hours 20 minutes).