Carlos Alcaraz makes world No 1 confession as Nadal loss offers chance

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Carlos Alcaraz has responded to the prospect of becoming the new world No 1 for the first time after the US Open. The 19-year-old was one of five men who could end the tournament as the top-ranked player and the race has been narrowed down to just three, with Rafael Nadal’s upset loss to Frances Tiafoe giving Alcaraz the chance to become the youngest No 1 in ATP history.

Alcaraz has a chance to make history at the US Open, as he could become the first teenager to win a Major since Nadal in 2005 and the youngest ATP world No 1 ever, smashing Lleyton Hewitt’s former record as the Aussie was 20 when he ascended to the top in November 2001.

Along with Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas, the current world No 4 came to Flushing Meadows with the chance of reaching the top of the rankings after the tournament, with the two Spaniards and Ruud now the last remaining players who have a shot at world No 1.

And Alcaraz’s chances are better than ever following Nadal’s fourth-round exit as he is now the highest seed left in the draw and will no longer face a potential semi-final clash with his compatriot. The five-time title winner has now addressed the prospect of becoming the new top man in tennis and admitted that he is trying not to think about it.

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“The truth is that I don’t think about it,” he said after his late-night marathon win over Marin Cilic. “Well, let’s say I try not to think about it.” Alcaraz will become world No 1 by reaching his maiden Grand Slam final, but will need to win the title if he comes up against Ruud in the championship match.

And with the ranking now just two to three wins away, the 19-year-old said it was still a long way away as he will first take on Jannik Sinner in the quarter-final. “I’m still a long way off, I have to win two or three matches and with an opponent as difficult as Sinner in front of me, I only think about that,” he continued.

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Alcaraz and Sinner have already started building something of a strong rivalry on the court while enjoying a good relationship off it. The pair are level at 2-2 in matches across all levels but the Italian leads their head-to-head by two wins to one loss at official tour-level so the third seed will have a tough match on his hands.

But Alcaraz thought that several players left in the US Open draw could still trouble him despite being ranked lower than him as he added: “There are very high level opponents. Jannik is one of them, but the other players show a great level; for example, I think Tiafoe has a great chance based on the tennis he played today.”

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