This story was translated from ATPTour.com/es
Carlos Alcaraz produced yet another demonstration of his precociousness this week at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. At 19, he has become the second fastest player to reach 100 wins among the 28 World No.1s in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.
ATPTour.com looks back at some of the defining moments of a career that is progressing at breakneck speed.
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Dominant on every surface
In a sport that requires mastering different court types, with a range of different ball speeds, spins and bounces, Alcaraz has shown from the beginning of his career that he has a natural talent for adaptation. The Spaniard has managed to find solutions wherever he has played, at the very least finding the path to victory more often than his opponents on each surface.
Alcaraz’s stats en route to 100 wins do not lie. His records on clay (47-12), grass (4-2) and hard court (49-18) reflect a competitor who is capable of prevailing in any situation. With his attacking brand of tennis, Alcaraz protects the baseline with imperial speed, patrolling the court with an insatiable hunger.
He has also demonstrated his relentless prowess on both indoor (16-6) and outdoor courts (84-26).
Photo Credit: Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Resolute against the best
While this is a sport where constant periods of adaptation come with the territory, Alcaraz has been able to stand up to the best players from the outset. His youth has proven no barrier to earning himself a place amongst the best on Tour, experienced players with whom he shares the same goals.
Alcaraz has a positive record (12-9) against members of the Top 10 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, his closest rivals in the quest for the biggest
trophies on Tour.
One stat in particular sums up Alcaraz’s achievements so far. Of all the active players to have played at least 20 matches against Top 10 opponents, only Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray also hold a positive record.
The ultimate survivor
The strength of character of true champions is at its most evident when they are faced with great adversity. In a sport like tennis, when the scoreboard can flip in an instant, the mental strength required to find a way to win takes on an extra dimension.
Alcaraz has been able to play his best tennis when matches have forced him into extreme situations. His record in deciding sets is one of the best on Tour. Although his career is still young, 31 wins from 45 final sets make the Spaniard a true survivor when the chips are down.
A win rate of almost 70 per cent when it is do-or-die time shows that when it comes to digging deep and finding an extra gear, few players bounce back stronger than Juan Carlos Ferrero’s understudy.
Resistant in defeat
Alcaraz’s 100 wins on Tour prove he is a formidable winner. If we delve into the nature of his defeats, though, we also find a tremendous fighter. An athlete prepared to give his all on court, to either take the spoils or force his opponents to wrestle them from his clutches.
Of the 132 Tour matches throughout his career, Alcaraz has left the court without a set to his name in just 12. The Murcia native has learned to remain focused, regardless of the score, as shown by his 10 tour-level finals (7-3). In all three where he was unable to get his hands on the trophy, he ensured his opponents would have to endure the agony of a deciding set.
This competitive nature has become fiercer as his career has progressed. In the past 15 months, the Spaniard has only left a tennis court empty-handed on two occasions. Those matches came in the two tournaments following his first Grand Slam win in New York, and the huge emotional effort entailed in achieving his historic victory.
Prophet in his own land
With a special ability to connect with the spectators, Alcaraz has been able to repay his fans’ loyalty when he has had the opportunity to play at home. The Murcia native is already an icon for the Spanish crowds, who await his return in a few weeks with great anticipation.
Despite his short career, Alcaraz has already managed to claim two prestigious titles in Spain; the ATP 500 in Barcelona and the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid. The defending champion at both events, Alcaraz has a 14-3 record on home soil, a figure that will surely grow in the coming years.
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