‘More grand slams’: Carlos Alcaraz already has sights set on 2023 glory after US Open triumph
Carlos Alcaraz showed his class and a great attitude to come through to win the 2019 US Open title after becoming the first player since Billie Jean King in 1971 to complete a career Grand Slam of the United States.
While that may be the best piece of hardware anyone could want, what he did next is a little more impressive.
In his first return to the US Open since 2014, the Spaniard smashed a stunning final-set lead against Ryan Harrison to capture his first Australian Open title in two years.
Speaking after the match, he told Sky Sports: “I had a two-shot lead in the 10th before, I was one down against Sílvio [Douglas] in the final and I made it three at one point. It was a tough moment for me and I was able to come back from it.
“I did lose a shot to Rafa [Nadal] at 18 with his serve, but it was my serve that helped me through. In the end I deserved it. I worked hard. I played well as a whole. I played in tough conditions, but I am sure my serve gave me the confidence.
“I didn’t make any mistakes. I played the first set well. I didn’t play the second set and I didn’t play well either. I didn’t do what I wanted to do. But then I learned from this, that doesn’t mean I won’t improve.”
Alcaraz was involved in a classic in the second set too, as he was serving for a match point in the tie-break until he got the message that his opponent had to return for a second time.
He said: “I had chances to serve it to him again later. When we served it again and I made it, I was like, ‘I’m going to do it.’ That’s the game I played.
“I’m just happy that I’m going to have the opportunity to continue to play in the US Open, something I haven’t done for a long time. I’ve been waiting three years for my first