Carlos Alcaraz, the youngest men’s tennis player to ever achieve the world’s No. 1 ranking, is frighteningly good at his game. He deploys drop shots when opponents least expect them, angles winners to the far edges of the court, and chases down shots that he has no right to reach—then does it again. With his U.S. Open victory in September, Alcaraz has officially arrived, leading a young generation of talent. Tennis is starving for the next global force, following the recent retirements of greats Serena Williams and Roger Federer. Alcaraz is it.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- The Revolution of Yulia Navalnaya
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- What's the Deal With the Bitcoin Halving?
- If You're Dating Right Now, You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
