‘More grand slams’: Carlos Alcaraz already has sights set on 2023 glory after US Open triumph
Alcaraz’s 20-0 record made him the first qualifier to reach the US Open final since Mike Liddle in 1999 while he also set the all-time record for Grand Slam finals points.
At 5-foot 10, Alcaraz has been at his best in recent years against the top players. But the 29-year-old is a different sort of player at the tourney.
He’s the first qualifier in the Open era to win in three majors since Jim Furyk in 1997, and he’s reached the final here in two straight years.
He’s also the first player in the Open era to have won every major in the calendar with three: Grand Slams in 1992, 1994 and 2016.
It’s also the first time he has been to three consecutive major finals since his first three – the French Open in 1991, Wimbledon in 1991 and 1992 – with the last two triumphs coming at Washington in 2017 and Barcelona in 2018.
With his three major titles, it’s the closest anyone has come to winning them all, and Alcaraz, who is currently ranked No. 4 in the world, will be hoping that continues when he steps onto Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday for the first time since he captured the U.S. Open last year.
“I’ve been pretty fortunate so far. To have this opportunity is very special. Now I have to take advantage of it,” he said.
Alcaraz will be in the lineup against his top-ranked foe, American qualifier Jack Sock as they both strive to be part of history.
In his only other loss at the U.S. Open, Sock fell 6-2, 3-6, 4-6 to world No. 21 Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals last June.
Alcaraz said he’s learned in his three years on the