On the ATP Tour, there has been a narrative circulating for years about what the post-Big Three era will include, when it may start, and who will lead the charge.
It was always going to happen gradually, but when Carlos Alcaraz triumphantly hoisted the US Open trophy on Sunday night, it felt like a turning point and offered some answers to those persistent doubts.
The Spaniard is not the first member of this new generation to break the collective dominance of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and, until recently, Roger Federer in men’s tennis. But this is distinct from Dominic Thiem’s and Daniil Medvedev’s Grand Slam-winning breakouts.
Alcaraz is not actually of this generation, to begin with. He should be in the next group even though he is only 19 years old, but due to his incredible talent, his ascent was unstoppable.
Alcaraz defeated former record-holder Lleyton Hewitt by a year and five months to become the youngest male player to achieve world No. 1. He is also the youngest US Open winner since Pete Sampras in 1990 and the youngest Grand Slam champion since Nadal at the 2005 French Open.
Alcaraz, who began the year just outside the top 30 and was playing in only his second full year on the tour, has risen to the top during a season that has already seen him win four championships, including two Masters.
