TENNIS: ALCARAZ WORLD NO. 1

NABAWI ni Carlos Alcaraz ang world No. 1 spot mula kay Novak Djokovic makaraang makopo ang kanyang kauna-unahang grass-court title sa Queen’s sa London noong Linggo.

Dinispatsa ng 20-year-old Spaniard si Alex de Minaur ng Australia, 6-4 6-4, sa loob ng isang oras at 39 minuto upang kunin ang kanyang ika-5 titulo sa season at mapalalas ang kanyang credentials sa grass bago ang Wimbledon sa susunod na buwan, na sisimulan niya bilang top men’s seed.

“It means a lot to have my name on the trophy,” wika ni Alcaraz sa kanyang on-court interview matapos ang laro.

“I’ve watched this tournament since I started playing tennis. It has been really special for me to play here, so many legends have won here. Seeing my name on the trophy, seeing my name surrounded by the great champions for me is amazing.”

Si Djokovic ay umakyat sa world No. 1 spot makaraang magwagi sa French Open ngunit sisimulan ang Wimbledon – ang torneo kung saan siya ang heavy favorite – bilang second seed.

“Being the number one, the top seed in such a great event as Wimbledon, for me, it’s amazing,” ani Alcaraz. “I started the tournament not very well … I had to adapt my movement a little bit on grass.”