US Open: Three reasons for Carlos Alcaraz success

Patrick Mouratoglou former Coach of Serena Williams was impressed by the Spaniard's mental strength during the summit clash at Flushing Meadows. He went on to list three key reasons behind the inevitable success of Carlos Alcaraz.

According to Patrick, the teenager's most commendable trait is his mental strength. He had to shoulder expectations from the crowd, handle the pressure built around the possibility of becoming number one, save match points, and deliver despite being physically exhausted. 

The French coach continued to appreciate the Spaniard moving on to his physical fitness, mainly stating the level of "intensity" and "explosiveness" he displays on every shot. 

Lastly, he admires the new world number one for being "complete" as a tennis player. He has no weaknesses, coupled with the fact that he has achieved success at such a young age. He is terrific from far behind the baseline and equally efficient closer to the baseline. 

When Alcaraz is asked about his success and ability to snap up success, he says, "I think what I have achieved, winning a Grand Slam and being number one in the world, is because of the work I've been doing with my team for a very long time."

"It hasn't been a bed of roses, I've had to suffer and go through bad times to get here. I'm not special, and nobody said I was going to be the best, I've worked for it," he continued.

Alcaraz has become the youngest Major winner since Rafael Nadal in 2005. Things are now looking suitable for the youngster who does have too many points to defend in the rest of the season.

How many points will Alcaraz defend before the end of 2022?

Alcaraz clinched five out of eight matches, excluding the ATP Next Gen Finals, and collected 280 points in 2021. He took a break after the US Open and returned for the Indian Wells in October. 

The youngster faced Andy Murray in the second round and suffered a 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 loss in three hours and three minutes. Alcaraz then bounced back in the next tournament in Vienna and secured fantastic wins against Daniel Evans, Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini en route to the semi-final. 

He competed against the then world number four Alexander Zverev and experienced a 6-3, 6-23 loss. The Spaniard won nine return points and created an opportunity for a break, but his opponent saved it and broke three out of four chances to enter the final.

Alcaraz then played five tight sets in the first two matches at the Paris Masters, where he outclassed Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Jannik Sinner to cruise into the third round. 

His run ended there, having suffered a 6-4, 7-5 loss to Hugo Gaston, after conceding half of the points in his games and losing serve six times.

Carlos ended the season with a powerful performance at the ATP Next Gen Finals in Milan, where he won and prepared himself for a promising 2022.