Sam Querrey has been forced to make a rather public apology to Carlos Alcaraz and his peers after making a horrendous prediction earlier this year.
That being said, the 22-year-old has proven many people wrong this year on so many different fronts.
After all, having just beaten Jannik Sinner on his favoured surface, he dispelled any fears about his ability to thrive on the hard court.
Not only that, but Carlos Alcaraz also avenged his Wimbledon final defeat in the process, and re-established himself as the frontrunner in their race for as many Grand Slam titles as possible.
However, none of these accolades related to Querrey’s claim. His was much worse.
Sam Querrey apologises to Carlos Alcaraz after US Open trophy
In a ludicrous statement made at the end of 2024, the American admitted he had ‘lost a little faith in him’ after a tough end to the year.
This prompted him to claim: “I can see him ending next year at like five in the world. Not like two or three, five!”
Well, Steve Johnson was not to let him forget such a dreadful take, as Alcaraz has just re-ascended to number one in the world. “Do you want to change your take a little that Alcaraz is out of the top five this year?” He asked on the Nothing Major podcast.
Querrey responded: “It was an awful take from me last year. Awful take! My apologies, Carlos. I was dead wrong! We swing and miss occasionally!”
That being said, Alcaraz admitted he surprised himself with his level throughout the US Open.
Carlos Alcaraz returns to the world number one spot
After spending so long chasing Sinner, who has held the position of world number one for over a year now, it must be so good for Alcaraz to have finally reclaimed that crown.
And, in beating him in the US Open final to do it, his triumph is twofold.
The last time the Spaniard led the world rankings was all the way back in September 2023.
This brings to an end Sinner’s 65-week spell at the pinnacle, with this debut reign the fourth-longest in history, after Roger Federer (237), Jimmy Connors (160) and Lleyton Hewitt (75).
It is likely that this will not be the first time these two superstars exchange this moniker going forward though.
