Last Updated on October 30, 2021
Eighteen years old last May, Carlos Alcaraz won the first ATP title of his career on this weekend in Umag, Croatia, where he defeated the much more experienced Frenchman Richard Gasquet with a score of 6-2 6-2.
Carlos also became the youngest Spanish player since Rafael Nadal to lift the first trophy of his career.
🇪🇸 Carlos Alcaraz 🇪🇸
The 18-year-old defeats Gasquet 6-2, 6-2 in Umag & becomes the youngest ATP Tour champion since 2008!
🎥: @TennisTV | @alcarazcarlos03 pic.twitter.com/1OUUcbJjDW
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) July 25, 2021
Won thanks to his family
Thanks to this success, Carlos made a jump of eighteen positions in the ATP ranking and now occupies the 55th position in the world rankings.
Speaking after the match, as also reported by EssentiallySports, the Iberian said:
“It’s great. It’s a lot of emotions all at once, I’m very happy with this win and the week that has passed. It’s my first ATP success, I’m going to enjoy it a lot.”
Spanish tennis player, Alcaraz made it to the third round at Roland Garros this year at best, stopped by Jan-Lennard Struff in three sets. “I had a lot of happy moments this week,” continued the newly crowned champion, “where I faced great players and grew a lot.
It was a great experience, which will be very useful for the future. I want to dedicate it to my team and my family, but if I had to choose one person it would be my grandfather or Juan Carlos Ferrero”.
The talent from Murcia also talked about the other events on the major circuit: “I don’t know why I like them all. And then I haven’t played the Us Open yet, where I really like the atmosphere, the courts and the stadiums.
The truth is that I would like to win everything.” Speaking about his opponent in the final, Gasquet commented, “He’s playing unbelievable. He’s only eighteen and he certainly has a great future ahead of him, I couldn’t play at his level and intensity.
That was the key to the match and he didn’t miss a point. He played well, very solidly. He is a great player”.
Comparison with Nadal
Carlos Alcaraz, 18, who won the tournament in Umag, told the ATP press service about comparisons with Rafael Nadal.
“I try not to think about it. I always answer the same way: I’m focused on my own way. I continue to learn, grow and communicate with everyone, but I have my own path.
This season I set a goal to be in the Top 50. I’m close to it now. Once I reach it, I’ll set a new one for the end of the season. My main goal is to become the number one ranked player in the world. I’m working hard for that.”
Match Statistics
| Carlos Alcaraz | Richard Gasquet | |
| Aces | 0 | 1 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 5 |
| 1st Serve Percentage | 55% | 47% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 78% | 69% |
| Break Points Saved | 3/3 | 4/8 |
| Break Points Converted | 4/8 | 0/3 |
| Unforced Errors | – | – |
