NEW YORK—Carlos Alcaraz used his combination of moxie and maturity to beat Casper Ruud 6–4, 2–6, 7–6 (1), 6–3 in the U.S. Open final on Sept. 11, to earn his first Grand Slam title ($2.6 million) at age 19 and become the youngest man to be ranked No. 1.
Alcaraz is a Spaniard who was appearing in his eighth major tournament and second at Flushing Meadows but already has attracted plenty of attention as someone considered the Next Big Thing in men’s tennis.
He was serenaded by choruses of “Olé, Olé, Olé! Carlos!” that reverberated off the closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium—and Alcaraz often motioned to the supportive spectators to get louder….