ATP has found its youngest ever year-end no. 1, courtesy of Rafael Nadal crashing out in the ATP Finals. The current sensation in the ATP World, Carlos Alcaraz is set to end the ATP season as Number 1. The teenage Spaniard will be the youngest year-end no. 1 in the ATP rankings history ever at the recorded age of 19 years, 214 days. Previously, the record was held by Lleyton Hewitt who achieved the feat in 2001 at the age of 20 years and 275 days.
Rafael Nadal, participating in the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Italy crashed out against Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime. The defeat put the final nail in his exit from the tour after his previous loss against Taylor Fritz. The defeat against Felix pushed Nadal out of Semi-Final contention. And though Carlos Alcaraz missed out on the finals due to an abdominal injury, Nadal’s exit, ultimately, made him the youngest year-end No. 1.
Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz Net Worth 2022, Salary, Prize Money, Endorsements, Cars, Houses, Properties, Etc
Carlos Alcaraz becomes the Youngest Ever Year-End No.1 in ATP Rankings
Carlos Alcaraz has stunned one and all with his string of winning performances in the ATP tournaments. However, the abdominal injury pushed Alcaraz out of the Paris Masters tournament as he retired mid-match in the quarter-final against Holger Rune. The retirement, in turn, put Stefanos Tsitsipas and Rafael Nadal in the position to dethrone Alcaraz as the No. 1 in the ATP Rankings. But Tsitsipas bowed out in the very first match and Rafael Nadal has now ended his 2022 ATP campaign without the finals title.
In his 2022 high, Carlos Alcaraz won five singles titles. The titles included two Masters 1000 tournaments, Next Gen ATP Finals, and the ATP 500 with Rio Open win. And the ultimate maiden Grand Slam title at the 2022 US Open. Moreover, he became the youngest ATP 500 winner as he scalped the Rio Open 2022. Carlos Alcaraz kicked off the 2022 season, sitting at the 32nd spot in the ATP rankings. However, the teenage Tennis prodigy quickly rose in ranks, ultimately, clinching the topmost rank in September. The best jump to the No. 1 in over 50 editions of the ATP rankings.
Carlos Alcaraz has hence become the first teenager in the history of ATP to end the season as Number 1. Moreover, he’s only the 18th ever to finish the season sitting at the pinnacle of the rankings. Additionally, Carlos Alcaraz is the first in over 19 years to dethrone the big-four Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Nadal, and Andy Murray for the record. Last, this feat was achieved by Andy Roddick in 2003 besides the big four of Tennis.
