It’s true. Carlos Alcaraz can not produce his A-game in every match. However, the young Spaniard has been among the best players on the most notable scene since 2022. Carlos already possesses four Majors and five Masters 1000 crowns at 21, hoping for more in the years to come.
The young Spaniard claimed his first Major trophy in New York two years ago. He cracked the top-3 with 2000 ATP points and has stayed in the elite group ever since, preparing to become the 13th player with 120 consecutive top-3 weeks. Also, Alcaraz achieved another milestone.
Carlos wrapped up two complete top-3 seasons at 21 years and seven months. He became the second-youngest player to achieve that after his legendary compatriot Rafael Nadal in 2006 and 2007. The young Spaniard stands on three year-end top-3 finishes at 21.
He is the youngest player to acomplish that since Nadal in 2007, and the list will hardly get new names in the next decade or two.
A ATP separou os dez melhores pontos de Carlos Alcaraz na atual temporada.
— Marcela Linhares (@ma__linharess) December 1, 2024
São (quase) cinco minutos de tirar o fôlego.
Eu ainda não consegui escolher meu favorito. E você?
pic.twitter.com/cIsz77irsr
Carlos embraces a solid 2023 season
Alcaraz wrapped up the 2022 season as the youngest year-end no. 1 player in ATP history. He could not repeat that in 2023, finishing second behind Novak Djokovic. However, Carlos embraced an entire top-3 season for the first time in a career.
The young gun missed the Australian Open due to an injury. He opted to kick off the action on clay in Buenos Aires, winning the title and losing the final in Rio de Janeiro. A teenager conquered his third Masters 1000 crown in Indian Wells without losing a set, regaining the ATP throne.
The Spaniard stepped down after failing to defend the Miami Masters crown. Carlos defended titles in Barcelona and Madrid, adding 1500 ATP points to his tally and improving his year-end position. Alcaraz competed at Roland Garros as the top seed.
SHOT OF THE MATCH 🤹♂️
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 15, 2024
Take a bow, @carlosalcaraz 🫡#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/FdE2sMsXOc
However, he suffered the semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic, feeling cramps in his entire body after cracking under pressure. Carlos raised his level during the grass swing, showing his rich talent despite lacking the experience. The outcome? Two notable titles!
The Spaniard conquered Queen’s and gathered a boost ahead of Wimbledon. The young gun passed six obstacles and arranged the title clash against Novak Djokovic. Seeking his second Major title, the 20-year-old prevailed in a five-setter and wrote history books.
It was Alcaraz’s sixth and last title of the season. Carlos and Novak embraced another title clash in Cincinnati and turned it into a cracker! Djokovic prevailed after nearly four hours, gathering a massive boost in their year-end no. 1 battle.
Carlos lost the ground a bit, losing his US Open crown in the semi-final and reaching the same round in Beijing and the ATP Finals. The Spaniard fell to Djokovic in the last four in Turin, finishing the season ranked 2nd.
Alcaraz wins two Majors in 2024
While his position in the top-3 was never in danger last year, Carlos could have ended his streak this year! However, he passed those challenges and became the second-youngest player with two full top-3 years. Alcaraz embraced a 54-13 score in 2024, lifting three notable titles.
He fell to Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open quarter-final and lost before the final in Buenos Aires and Rio. Carlos bounced back in Indian Wells, defending the title and remaining in the top-2. The Spaniard struggled with an arm injury, skipping Barcelona and Rome.
He recovered by Roland Garros and lifted his third Major trophy, the first in Paris! Carlos trailed two sets to one against Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev. Still, he bounced back in sets four and five against both rivals to lift a trophy. Thus, he became the youngest player with a Major crown on all three surfaces!
Alcaraz lost to Jack Draper at Queen’s but fixed that at Wimbledon. The 21-year-old passed a couple of challenging obstacles en route to the final. Like a year ago, he faced Novak Djokovic and ousted the legend in straight sets. The Spaniard became the youngest winner of a ‘Channel Slam.’
Seeking an Olympic gold, Carlos reached the final in Paris and suffered a tight 7-6, 7-6 defeat to Novak Djokovic. Did this loss shake his confidence? Certainly, as the young gun suffered early losses in Cincinnati and the US Open. He bounced back in Beijing.
Carlos ousted Jannik Sinner in a memorable final, adding the fourth and last ATP trophy of the season to his name. The Spaniard lost in the Shanghai Masters quarter-final and experienced three defeats in Paris and Turin. He closed the season wtih one win at the Davis Cup Finals.
Despite winning two Majors, Alcaraz failed to embrace his third year-end top-2 run. He finished behind Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz but extended his top-3 streak ahead of 2025.
