Google News Carlos Alcaraz on becoming No.1: It's close, but at the same time it is so far away
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Casper Ruud and Carlos Alcaraz will play in the Us Open final. This is a duel that no one could have expected, and it will be interesting until the very end. With a win, Alcaraz could become the youngest tennis player to be ranked No.
1 in the Atp rankings. He is aware of what the final brings. “I’m going to do the same; that is going for it. No matter what I'm fighting for or what I am, I’m just going for it and enjoy the moment,” said Alcaraz as quoted by eurosport.com John McEnroe is delighted with the game of the young Spaniard.
“This guy Carlos Alcaraz is one of the greatest things we’ve in our sport in a long time. His mental strength is unreal,” said John McEnroe Last year, Alcaraz had to retire in the quarterfinals due to physical fatigue.
He is much more prepared now. “I would say now I'm more prepared. Last year I just played three Grand Slams before the US Open, and I just played, I'm going to say, one match five sets,” he said.
“Now I've played more matches in five sets, I am more prepared mentally and physically.
Yeah, it was 12 months of working hard in the gym, on the court. But I would say it's all mental”. The biggest wish of every tennis player is to become number 1, and what a success it is to become that at the age of 19; “It's close, but at the same time it is so far away, you know? It's a final of a Grand Slam, fighting for the No.
1 in the world, something that I dreamed about since I was a kid. It’s the final of a Grand Slam. Right now I'm going to enjoy this moment. My first Grand Slam final. I will have time tomorrow to think about it”.
Tiafoe on Carlos Alcaraz
Tiafoe praised Alcaraz after the loss.
“I think it's going to be very tough to play him. He's one of the best players in the world, for sure. He's so young. He hits the ball so hard. I never played a guy who moves as well as him, honestly,” said Tiafoe.
“He's going to be a problem for a very long time”.
The crowd gave huge support to Alcaraz. The pressure was on Tiafoe “I was getting riled up. People love to see that guy play, so they were getting behind him, too. Obviously I would have loved to win tonight, but I think tennis won tonight.
I think the crowd got what they expected. I just wish I was the one who got the W,” said Tiafoe, “But it was unbelievable to be a part of. A lot of who's who in there. At the end of the day I have to be happy; I gave everything that I had”.