Alcaraz dethrones Djokovic to reclaim No. 1 rating with first grass-court title | Tennis News

Alcaraz dethrones Djokovic to reclaim No. 1 rating with first grass-court title | Tennis News [ad_1]

When Carlos Alcaraz arrived at The Queen's Membership earlier this week, following the heartbreak at Roland Garros, he was struggling to search out rhythm on the brand new floor. And it was solely pure. It was Alcaraz's third grass-court occasion in his profession and first outdoors the Wimbledon. However the younger Spaniard got here a great distance albeit in every week, earlier than claiming his first ever grass-court title. The highest-seeded defeated Australian Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4 to carry the trophy on the Cinch Championships. And with the win, he dethroned Novak Djokovic to reclaim the ATP World No.1 rating forward of 2023 Wimbledon.

Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, smiles throughout his mens singles remaining match in opposition to Alex de Minaur, of Australia, on the Queens Membership tennis match(AP)

“It means quite a bit to me. Having the ability to win this wonderful match in my first time that I performed right here for me is improbable,” Alcaraz mentioned in his on-court interview. “To know that I’m [capable of] degree on grass, clearly [to be] champion of each match feels particular.”

This was Alcaraz's fifth ATP title win this season, going degree with Daniil Medvedev for the Tour-lead, and eleventh general in his profession. With the title, the 20-year-old turned the youngest tennis participant to carry a trophy on every of the surfaces since Lleyton Hewitt (19 years and three months). He additionally the fourth energetic participant on tour after Rafael Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray to win at the very least one title on all three surfaces, on the ATP 500 or above degree.

Heading into his maiden look at The Queen's, Alcaraz had a 4-2 file on grass. In his two appearances in Wimbledon - 2021 and 2022 - he suffered a second-round and fourth-round exit respectively. He suffered an early hiccup in his opener at The Queen's earlier than escaping the ultimate set tie-break in opposition to Arthur Rinderknech, however the US Open champion surged to a title win with out dropping a set in his subsequent matches.

On Sunday, Alcaraz saved two break factors within the eighth recreation of the primary set, broke within the subsequent recreation after which served out for the set. He then received the one break level of the second set, when De Minaur double-faulted, and sealed the title on his first match level when the Australian despatched a return lengthy.

Alcaraz will subsequent be seen within the Hurlingham Traditional exhibition occasion subsequent week, becoming a member of Djokovic, in his remaining preparation for Wimbledon.

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