Carlos Alcaraz was quick to send rival and world number one Jannik Sinner after the Italian defeated Taylor Fritz in the US Open final.
The Spaniard, who exited Flushing Meadows with a whimper, was fast to recognise the efforts of women’s US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday.
Carlos Alcaraz won French Open and Wimbledon this summer, while Jannik Sinner bookended the tennis calendar with his first two major titles in Melbourne and New York.
A straight sets victory past home favorite Taylor Fritz capped off quite a remarkable month for Sinner.
A mere six days before the tournament began and just a day after his victory in Cincinnati, it was revealed that Sinner had been cleared of any wrongdoing after twice testing positive for clostebol – a steroid often used to build muscle mass.
With the news hanging over his head and the tennis world responding quickly and occasionally viciously, Sinner’s remarkable title-winning run sits as even more impressive.
Carlos Alcaraz congratulates Jannik Sinner after winning the US Open
After Alcaraz was shocked by Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round, the men’s draw completely opened up.
With Novak Djokovic ousted by Alexei Popyrin a day later, a new men’s champion was confirmed upon Sinner’s quarter-final defeat against Daniil Medvedev.
More or less as soon as Fritz’s shot fell short to hand Sinner his first US Open title, Alcaraz took to X to congratulate his rival.
Responding to an official post by the US Open, Alcaraz said: “Congratulations Jannik Sinner. You deserve it! Enjoy the moment!”
New York will provide fond memories for the Spaniard with his first major title coming at Flushing Meadows in 2022 when he was just 19.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner cement the change to a new era of tennis
Much dialogue arose after Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in the 2023 Wimbledon final – the guards were being changed, the new era was upon us, so long ‘The Big three’.
While that initially felt slightly reactionary and likely a little premature, 2024 marks the first year that Djokovic hasn’t secured a major title since 2010.
Furthermore, it is the first year in an astonishing 22 years that neither Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, nor Djokovic has won a Grand Slam.
With Alcaraz and Sinner sharing two majors each this year, they have usurped the likes of Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who were originally touted as the next two prospective champions.
Now finally, the new era can be officially announced.
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