Carlos Alcaraz Is Favorite Against Casper Ruud in U.S. Open Men’s Singles Final

Though he showed no signs of slowing down on Friday night, he has played significantly more tennis in New York this year than Ruud.

He has also played more highlight-reel tennis than anybody else, even the departed Australian Nick Kyrgios, and with a positive energy and sportsmanlike attitude that make him a much less conflicted viewing experience than Kyrgios.

Alcaraz and Ruud, who has also trained in Spain, are on friendly terms, and it would be quite a shock if their final were anything but family fare.

“It makes me happy to transmit good values to the young,” Alcaraz said.

A Spanish reporter pointed out that Alcaraz was still rather young himself.

“In tennis, you can mature quickly,” he said. “At tournaments, perhaps I feel a bit older, with more responsibilities, let’s say. But once I’m at home with my family, my friends and the people I have known since I was little, I feel like a 19-year-old kid.”

However he feels in New York, if he wins on Sunday, Alcaraz will be the youngest No. 1 in ATP history.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/10/sports/tennis/alcaraz-ruud-us-open-mens-final.html