Rising Star Alcaraz Defeats Djokovic in US Open Upset

Carlos Alcaraz Garfia, born May 5, 2003, in El Palmar, Murcia, Spain, is a leading Spanish professional tennis player currently ranked world No. 1 in men's singles by the ATP. He began his professional career in 2018 at age 14 and quickly gained recognition for his aggressive playing style and speed. Alcaraz broke into the ATP top 100 in May 2021 and ended that year ranked No. 32, following a quarterfinal appearance at the US Open[1][2]. In 2022, at 19 years old, Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, becoming the youngest male player in the Open Era to reach the No. 1 ATP ranking. That year, he also secured three ATP Masters 1000 titles, including victories over top-ranked players Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. He finished 2022 as the youngest year-end No. 1 in ATP history and was honored as the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year for his achievements[1][3]. Alcaraz has since won a total of six Grand Slam titles: two French Opens (2024, 2025), two Wimbledons (2023, 2024), and two US Opens (2022, 2025). He claimed his second major at Wimbledon in 2023 by defeating Novak Djokovic in the final and successfully defended the Wimbledon and French Open titles in 2024. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Alcaraz earned a silver medal in singles tennis[1][2]. Coached by former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz is widely regarded as one of the most promising talents of the post-Big Three era, alongside rival Jannik Sinner. His career continues to be marked by rapid progress, key victories against top-ranked opponents, and a prominent position in men's tennis at just 22 years old[1][2][4].

Novak Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport. Born in Belgrade in 1987, Djokovic turned professional in 2003 and quickly rose through the ranks to join the elite group of men’s tennis alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic is known for his exceptional athleticism, mental resilience, and all-court versatility, which have allowed him to dominate across all surfaces and conditions. Djokovic holds the all-time record for men’s Grand Slam singles titles with 24 major championships, surpassing both Federer and Nadal[1][3]. His Grand Slam victories include a record 10 Australian Open titles, 7 Wimbledon championships, 4 US Opens, and 3 French Open crowns[2]. He is the only male player to have won each of the four majors at least three times, achieving the rare “triple Career Grand Slam”[1]. Djokovic has also been ranked world No. 1 for a record total of 428 weeks across 13 different years, and has finished as the year-end No. 1 a record eight times[1]. In addition to his Grand Slam success, Djokovic has claimed a record 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles, 7 ATP Finals championships, and over 100 career ATP singles titles overall[3][4]. He is one of the few players to complete the Career Golden Slam, having won all four majors, the ATP Finals, and an Olympic gold medal—a feat he achieved by winning singles gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics[2]. Djokovic has also been a key figure in Serbia’s Davis Cup team, helping his country win the title in 2010[2]. Djokovic’s list of professional honors includes eight ITF World Champion awards and eight ATP Player of the Year titles, reflecting his sustained excellence over more than two decades[1][2]. Off the court, he has been recognized for his humanitarian efforts, receiving the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award in 2012[1][2]. As of late 2025, Djokovic remains a central figure in men’s tennis, continuing to compete at the highest level and adding to his historic legacy. His recent Olympic gold medal in Paris further cemented his status as one of the sport’s most accomplished and versatile champions[2]. Djokovic’s career is marked not only by his records and trophies but also by his influence in elevating the standards of professional tennis worldwide.

Roger Federer is a Swiss professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest in the history of the sport. Over his career, he won 103 ATP singles titles, including 20 Grand Slam men's singles titles, comprising six Australian Opens, one French Open, eight Wimbledons, and five US Opens. He is the first male player to surpass 14 Grand Slam titles and stands third behind Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in total Grand Slam wins. Federer is also one of eight men to have completed a career Grand Slam, winning all four major tournaments at least once, and he achieved this on three different surfaces: hard, grass, and clay courts. Federer holds numerous records, including 31 Grand Slam singles finals appearances, 23 consecutive Grand Slam semifinal appearances, and 36 consecutive quarterfinal appearances. He is the only male player to win five consecutive US Open titles (2004–2008) and to win 40 consecutive matches at two Grand Slams—the US Open and Wimbledon. Federer also holds the record for appearing in seven consecutive Wimbledon finals (2003–2009) and has won a total of 28 ATP Masters titles and six ATP Finals championships. Throughout his career, Federer was known for his elegant playing style, sportsmanship, and longevity at the top of the sport. He won the ATP Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award 13 times and was the ATP Fan Favorite for 19 consecutive years. In recent years, Federer has faced injuries and has reduced his competitive schedule. As of 2024, he leads the nominees for the International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2026, highlighting his enduring legacy in tennis[1][3][4][5][6][7][8].