TENNIS
Alcaraz records 100 ATP Tour wins faster than the ‘Big Three’
Carlos Alcaraz keeps making history and the young star achieved another milestone by defeating Tallon Griekspoor at Indian Wells.
Everyone wants to watch him play. He’s already one of the biggest attractions wherever he goes and that’s for a reason.
Carlos Alcaraz burst into world tennis last year with a great display of technique, strength, and determination to win up to five ATP titles, including the US Open, becoming the youngest No. 1 ever.
Carlitos started to show glimpses of what he could do on a tennis court in Rio de Janeiro last year. Now, with a 100-32 win-loss record on the ATP Tour, he is in the spotlight after reaching 100 wins on the ATP Tour faster than tennis legends Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer.
Only John McEnroe (100-31) got to 100 wins faster than him, while Nadal and Djokovic needed 137 and 143 games, respectively.
“I saw I was the second player in history with fewer matches to be able to get to 100 wins. I’m really proud of myself”, he said after defeating his opponent.
Alcaraz, the recordman
But the El Palmar native has quite a few more records to break. By defeating Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in the third round, Alcaraz has become the third player born after the year 2000 to record 100 tour victories, only behind Jannik Sinner (138 wins) and Felix Auger-Aliassime (168 wins).
Moreover, the Spanish star could also become the second player with the most Masters 1000 wins before turning 20 -on May 5- if he beats Jack Draper in the next round. If he emerges victorious, Alcaraz would tie Denis Shapovalov (25), and would only be surpassed by Nadal (49).
But probably Alcaraz’s main focus is taking back the No. 1 spot, something he will achieve if he manages to go all the way in California and lift the Indian Wells trophy.
Alcaraz, who has a win percentage of 70.6% at the Masters 1000 level, knows he will have to play his best tennis to come out on top against Draper.
“I know that I’m going to have to play my best, give my 100 percent on the court. I played against him in Basel [and won] 7-5 in the third. It’s going to be a tough match and I’m going to enjoy it”, he concluded.