Carlos Alcaraz: ‘It has been my dream since I was a kid to be world number one’
Carlos Alcaraz says he has not allowed himself to think about the world number one spot as he prepares for the US Open final.
Alcaraz came through a five-set thriller in the semi-final against Frances Tiafoe, and he can become the youngest ATP number one in history should he beat Casper Ruud in the final.
Ruud can also claim top spot in the rankings if he wins, so it will be a high-stakes match-up and one that Alcaraz is looking forward to.
“Well, it (the world number one spot) is close but at the same time is so far away,” Alcaraz said. “It’s a final of a Grand Slam, fighting for the number one in the world, something that I dream since I was a kid.
“I mean, what I have to say? Is 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.”
Carlos Alcaraz had match point in the fourth set but was unable to take it. Frances Tiafoe then won the tiebreak to send the match into a decider.
At that point, the American seemed to have the momentum and it could be him heading for the US Open final instead.
“Honestly at that point I thought: ‘please finish in this set’,” Alcaraz recalled.
“I mean, it was a tough moment for me, losing that match point in that way, doing a dropshot that I could finish with a good forehand that I was hitting pretty well.
“But I knew that I had to stay in the match, to stay calm, to stay playing well. I was playing well. But, yeah, it was a tough fourth set.
“I thought it is a new match in the fifth set. I have to stay there playing, playing well, playing my game, and believe. I have to play my best and I could win, you know?
“I just thought that I was able to beat Frances in the fifth set.”
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