NEW YORK — Men's tennis has been dominated for two decades by the "Big Three" of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. In the U.S. Open final on Sunday, 19-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz identified himself the "Next One" to succeed them as the winner of many major titles.
Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam singles title and earned the No. 1 world ranking with a skillful and determined 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3 victory over Casper Ruud of Norway in front of a crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium that serenaded him with cries of "Olé" and "Vamos, Carlitos." Alcaraz finished the match with an ace, then threw himself on his back to soak it all in.
After meeting Ruud at the net and embracing the runner-up, Alcaraz ran up to his supporters' box to hug them and share his moment of triumph.
