Carlos Alcaraz's ranking is making headlines lately in anticipation of the updated ranking from the ATP before the end of the 2023 season.
In the end, Novak Djokovic ended up as the no. 1 while the Spanish young star got no. 2.
The two swapped the 1-2 ranking multiple times this year, with Alcaraz taking it last in September.
Djokovic remains the king of the sport even at 36 years old.
Alcaraz can wait. He is expected to take over professional tennis, but the Serbian is not ready to relinquish the best-in-the-world distinction.
What Alcaraz has right now, though, is bragging rights. To be the best, you have to beat the best. That's what he did.
His career is still young, but he has already slain the biggest names in tennis.
Top 5 best players he has beaten so far:
1. Novak Djokovic at the 2023 Wimbledon Open Finals
Beating the world's record holder for most Grand Slams is how you declare to the world you are ready to take the reins of the old greats.
That's what Alcaraz did in July at the Wimbledon Open when he beat Djokovic in five sets. The pair and Daniil Medvedev, whom Alcaraz beat in the semi-finals, were all in contention for the no. 1 ranking at that time.
In the end, it was the youngest who stood victorious to win his second Grand Slam.
2. Rafael Nadal at the 2020 Madrid Open QF
Alcaraz faced another great, Rafael Nadal, in their own country for the Madrid Open.
Nadal came to the tournament as a higher seed (#3), but Alcaraz, just 19 at that time, was unfazed. They were paired up in the quarterfinals, and the Villena native came out on top in two sets.
What's more impressive was he also faced Nadal in the semis, stood victorious, and eventually won the title against second seed Alexander Zverev.
That was one legend after another that he slayed.
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3. Andy Murray at the Erste Bank Open 2nd Round
Murray is up there among the greats of the sport and is also on the list of the giants that Alcaraz brought down. They met at the 2021 Vienna Open when Alcaraz was just 18 years old.
It was one of the first major victories for Alcaraz, as Murray is considered among the best of his generation.
Eventually, he earned the admiration of Murray, who projected him to become the next world no. 1.
4. Daniil Medvedev at the Indian Wells Finals
Medvedev is not in the same league as Nadal and Djokovic but is among Alcaraz's most formidable opponents.
The Spanish and the 27-year-old were at the Indian Wells competition of the 2023 ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, and the former was just too good to settle the match in just two sets. It was Alcaraz's second title for the 2023 edition, matching Djokovic's record.
5. Matteo Berrettini at the 2021 Vienna Open
Matteo Berrettini is a relatively young player on this list, but he is also one of the toughest draws for Alcaraz.
The two met in the 2021 Vienna Open quarterfinals. Berrettini, a consistent fixture in the Last 8 of Grand Slam events, came in as a favorite against a teen Alcaraz.
The latter did not let age be the determining factor as he pulverized the 27-year-old Italian with his quickness to finish the game in three sets.
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