It’s official! Carlos Alcaraz becomes the youngest year-end No 1 in ATP history

Only an abdominal tear could keep Carlos Alcaraz from participating in the ATP Finals, but even that devastating development could not keep the surging Spaniard from become the center of attention in Turin on Tuesday.

When Casper Ruud took a set from Taylor Fritz in round robin play on Tuesday evening in Turin (Ruud would win and qualify), the champagne could be uncorked: Alcaraz is the ATP’s year-end No.1. The milestone marks a formative moment for Alcaraz, even if the shadow of an injury currently hangs over him.

Two months ago, Alcaraz became the youngest No 1-ranked player in history on the Monday after his US Open title. The 19-year-old is the 28th No.1-ranked player in ATP history, and the18th player to complete a season as the tour’s top-ranked player.

Remarkably, he’s the only teenager to achieve both feats.

Carlos Alcaraz will travel to Turin on Wednesday to attend a special on court ceremony at 9pm local time.

Nadal and Tsitsipas quickly – and quietly – eliminated from contention

Both Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas had a sliver of hope before the ATP Finals commenced. Tsitsipas could have reached No 1 with an undefeated title run in Turin, while Nadal could have finished a season at No 1 for the sixth time if he had been able to win the title, or reach the final after going 2-1 in round robin play.

His chances to win two matches in round robin play evaporated on Tuesday as he fell to Felix Auger-Aliassime to fall to 0-2; when Ruud won a set against Fritz the Spaniard was mathematically eliminated from the chase.

Djokovic and the other 17 year-end No 1s in ATP history

Alcaraz’s achievement is historic. Since the tour began recording rankings in 1973, only 18 men have managed to finish a season atop the table.

Here they are, listed along with their number of year-end No 1 finishes:

1. Novak Djokovic, 7
2. Pete Sampras, 6
3. Jimmy Connors, 6
4. Rafael Nadal, 5
5. Roger Federer, 5
6. John McEnroe, 4
7. Ivan Lendl, 4
8. Bjorn Borg, 2
9. Stefan Edberg, 2
10. Lleyton Hewitt, 2
11. Ilie Nastase
12. Mats Wilander
13. Jim Courier
14. Andre Agassi
15. Gustavo Kuerten
16. Andy Roddick
17. Andy Murray
18. Carlos Alcaraz

And here are the ten youngest year-end No.1s in ATP history, with their age listed and the year they achieved the ranking:

• 1. Carlos Alcaraz, 19 years, 6 months, 9 days (2022)
• 2. Lleyton Hewitt, 20 years,10 months, 7 days (2001)
• 3. Andy Roddick, 21years, 4 months,1 day (2003)
• 4. Jimmy Connors, 22 years, 3 months, 29 days (1974)
• 5. Jim Courier, 22 years, 4 months, 14 days (1992)
• 6. Pete Sampras, 22 years, 4 months,19 days (1993)
• 7. Rafael Nadal, 22 years, 6 months, 28 days (2008)
• 8. John McEnroe, 22 years,10 months,15days (1981)
• 9. Roger Federer, 23 years, 4 months, 23days (2004)
• 10. Borg, 23 years, 6 months, 25 days (1979)

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