Carlos Alcaraz has acknowledged that reclaiming the world No 1 ranking once felt “really, really far away” earlier this season, such was the dominance of rival Jannik Sinner.
Yet the Spaniard has now secured the year-end No 1 position for the second time in his career after defeating Lorenzo Musetti at the ATP Finals in Turin, his third round robin win of the week.
The result guaranteed he would finish ahead of Sinner, who could only have overtaken him if Alcaraz had lost at least one group match.
Instead, the 22-year-old has powered into the semi-finals and remains on course for a potential showdown with Sinner in Sunday’s final.
Alcaraz has enjoyed the most successful season of his career so far, winning Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros and the US Open and reaching nine consecutive finals between April and September.
His eight titles for the year represent a personal best, while his dramatic victory over Sinner in the Roland Garros final, where he saved three championship points, is widely regarded as one of the standout matches of the season.
He first ended a season as world No 1 in 2022 after his breakthrough US Open triumph as a 19-year-old, becoming the youngest year end No 1 in ATP history.
Carlos Alcaraz has won six Grand Slam titles so far
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GETTY
Carlos Alcaraz has acknowledged that reclaiming the world No 1 ranking once felt “really, really far away” earlier this season, such was the dominance of rival Jannik Sinner
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REUTERS
This year he has reclaimed the position during a campaign in which Sinner missed three months after reaching a settlement in a doping matter.
Sinner has consistently denied wrongdoing, and no suspension from competition was imposed as part of the resolution.
Reflecting on securing the top spot again, Alcaraz said: “It means the world to me, to be honest.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have dominated tennis this year | REUTERS
“The year end No 1 is always a goal.
“At the beginning of the year, I saw the No 1 really, really far away with Jannik winning almost every tournament he plays.
“But from the middle of the season until now, I had the goal for the No 1 because I thought it was there.
“I had the chance to play great tennis in a lot of tournaments in a row to put myself in with a chance to be close to Jannik.”
He added: “In the last three, four tournaments of the year, I was fighting toe to toe with Jannik for this spot and then finally I got it.
Carlos Alcaraz is looking to win the ATP Finals for the first time
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REUTERS
“For me, it means everything.”
Alcaraz overtook Sinner after beating him at the US Open, though the Italian remained a close rival as soon as he returned to the tour.
Sinner has since extended his indoor hard court winning streak to 28 matches, collecting titles in Vienna and Paris, and is aiming to defend his ATP Finals crown on home soil in Turin.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, is chasing his first title at the season ending event, and his resurgent form has set the stage for a compelling finale to a year defined by his increasingly fierce rivalry with his Italian rival.
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