Carlos Alcaraz arrived in Madrid last May still with plenty to prove. The swiftness with which he joined the elite had already become one of the defining stories of the season, but Alcaraz had still not faced the ultimate test, measuring up against Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic.
By the end of the week, he had ticked both off the list. Alcaraz finished the Madrid Open by becoming the first player to beat Nadal and Djokovic consecutively on clay and he departed with the title.
In the 13 months since, Alcaraz has risen higher still. He won his first grand slam at the US Open last year, the last one he played as he missed the Australian Open with injury. He became the ATP's first teenage world No 1. He has four Masters 1000 titles.
At the same time Alcaraz established himself at the top, Djokovic re-established his own form having fallen from the No 1 ranking primarily because of his unvaccinated status freeing up his schedule. Djokovic has won the past two grand slam tournaments he entered and has seven titles since last May.
This story is from the June 09, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 09, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Los Angeles earmarked for Derby after bringing dash of Hollywood to trial
The team of horses that will attempt to give Aidan O'Brien a record-extending 10th win in the Derby at Epsom next month signed up another new recruit here yesterday as Los Angeles, an imposing son of the yard's 2012 winner, Camelot, ground out a one-length success from stable-companion Euphoric in Leopardstown's Derby Trial to remain unbeaten after three career starts.
Ukrainian forces 'on back foot' in Kharkiv, commander admits
Ukraine's top military commander admitted yesterday that the situation in Kharkiv was \"difficult\" as Russian forces continued an assault in the region and Moscow claimed to have captured several more villages.
Never Trump? The Republican moderates who still shun Biden
They have broken with Donald Trump. They have gone public with their concerns about the threat that he poses to democracy and the rule of law. But vote for Joe Biden? That is a bridge too far.
Universities see sharp fall in applications by international students
Universities are reporting a steep drop in international students applying to come to the UK, amid warnings that further restrictions on student visas would torpedo a vital flow of talent for Britain's creative industries.
'A proper workplace' Artists battle to save affordable studios in Banksy's backyard
For three decades a collective of artists has worked at Jamaica Street Studios in Stokes Croft, the bohemian Bristol enclave seen as Banksy's spiritual home.
Nul risk Why Olly Alexander was a forgotten face at Eurovision reunion
Eurovision takes place every 12 months, but to understand the dynamics of its public vote it might be more useful to think of the song contest as a kind of school reunion.
Profile Is 'pound-shop Farage the right man to lead party?
Just four months ago, Richard Tice was described as a \"pound-shop Nigel Farage\" by a prominent Conservative MP.
England gets 27 new bathing sites - but no guarantee they will be safe to swim in
Twenty-seven new bathing sites will be designated in England ahead of this summer's swimming season, the government has announced.
Woman planning assisted death in New Zealand asks UK to change end-of-life law
A British woman who will have an assisted death next week in New Zealand, where she lives, has called on the UK to change its law to give seriously ill people choices about the end of their lives.
Roger Corman, king of the Hollywood B-movie, dies at 98
Roger Corman, the writer and director who helped turn out low-budget classics including The Little Shop of Horrors and gave many of Hollywood's most famous actors and directors early breaks, has died at 98.
