TRIESTE, August 30, 2020
While most of the circuit’s current top stars are staying in the bubble of New York in order to get ready for the US Open, one of the future stars of men’s tennis made a name of himself in Italy. Carlos Alcaraz has clinched his maiden trophy on the ATP Challenger Tour by winning the inaugural €88,520 Città di Trieste.
The 17-year-old Spaniard defeated Italian qualifier Riccardo Bonadio 6-4, 6-3 at the Tennis Club Triestino in Sunday’s singles final.
Alcaraz, first player born in the year 2003 to reach a Challenger championship match, was the dominant player. He lost his serve only once and converted four of his own 11 break point chances to secure victory in one hour and nine minutes.
We have a new champion on the @ATPChallenger Tour! At the age of 17 years and 3 months, Carlos Alcaraz 🇪🇸 clinches the title in Trieste 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/HomqkNaYje
— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) August 30, 2020
“I was a bit nervous at the beginning but played a good level of tennis today,” the teenager told Tennis TourTalk after his triumph. “Riccardo is a very good player and he enjoyed a great week here, which we both started in the qualifying. I was agile and focused on court today. I am very happy.”
Alcaraz pocketed in the capital city of the region Friuli-Venezia Giulia €12.250 in prize money as well as 100 ATP-Rankings points. The Next-Gen star from Murcia will rise 90 positions to a new career-high of World No. 220 on Monday.
“It was a fantastic week and a great experience to play at this level,” said Alcaraz, who will continue his Italian clay-court swing next week in Cordenons, situated about 170 kilometres away from Trieste. “I am looking forward to a new week. I will try to keep learning,” the protege of 2003 Roland Garros champion Juan Carlos Ferrero stays humble.
A first appearance at the French Open now is also in sight for Alcaraz. “Playing in Paris would be wonderful but for the moment I am happy with the title win here in Trieste. It was a great week.”
The Iberian has become the fourth-youngest Challenger champion in the last decade at the age of 17 years and three months, behind only Felix Auger-Aliassime (Lyon and Sevilla 2017) and Alexander Zverev (Braunschweig 2014). Alcaraz was only two days younger than his compatriot Nicola Kuhn, who lifted the trophy in Braunschweig three years ago.
