"The answer to the question of what happens when Federer and Nadal retire" - Tennis fans elated as Carlos Alcaraz makes history in Miami
Carlos Alcaraz made history at the Miami Masters on Sunday, becoming the youngest champion in the tournament's 37-year history. The 18-year-old Spaniard defeated World No. 8 Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-4 in the final, notching up his first Masters 1000 title in the process.
Only two male players have won an ATP 1000 title when they were younger than the Spaniard -- Michael Chang and Rafael Nadal. Alcaraz also became the first Spaniard to lift the trophy in Miami, breaking the eight-match losing streak of his countrymen in finals.
@alcarazcarlos03 
YOUNGEST MEN'S CHAMPION IN MIAMI OPEN HISTORY🔥
¡Felicidades!🇪🇸 @alcarazcarlos03
@MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen https://t.co/KMLKtblPGf
Quite naturally, the teenage sensation's success was enough to send tennis fans on social media into a tizzy. Many saw his recent triumph as proof that he is the future of tennis. They inevitably compared Alcaraz to the Big 3 and boldly declared that the sport will be in safe hands after the legendary trio's retirement.
"The answer to the question ‘what happens when Federer and Nadal retire?’ Carlos Alcaraz. To the Djokovic fans inevitably taking offence at this tweet, he isn’t a new arrival, and he ain’t retiring any time soon," tennis commentator David Law wrote.
The answer to the question ‘what happens when Federer and Nadal retire?’
Carlos Alcaraz.
To the Djokovic fans inevitably taking offence at this tweet, he isn’t a new arrival, and he ain’t retiring any time soon.
"Djokovic and Nadal used to produce these high intensity, physical performances day in and day out when they were in their prime. We are seeing those signs in Alcaraz," another fan wrote.
Djokovic and Nadal used to produce these high intensity, physical performances day in and day out when they were in their prime.
We are seeing those signs in Alcaraz.
Alcaraz is by far the best teen we’ve had on tour since Nadal, Djokovic, Murray & Del Potro.
His game is complete and he’s now won a Masters title with a top 5 win at a time where the men’s game is the most physical it’s ever been.
Yet some still claim the hype isn’t justified.
More than a few fans hoped to be treated to a match between Djokovic and Alcaraz by the end of the year. The pair have never met on the ATP tour till date, but that did not stop Twitter users from predicting that it would be a guaranteed blockbuster.
"Djokovic-Alcaraz on a hard court will be ridiculous tennis," one user posted.
Djokovic-Alcaraz on a hard court will be ridiculous tennis.
I really want to see Djokovic playing Alcaraz, preferebly during this clay season.
Amidst all this hype, there was also a large group of Alcaraz supporters who worried that it might prove counter-productive to place such high expectations on the teenager so soon. At the same time, many had the World No. 11's back, insisting that even if he undergoes a blip in the coming days, he has what it takes to be the very best in the business.
"Carlos Alcaraz putting the rest of the tour on notice at the age of 18 is easily one of the most badass things to happen in all of tennis recently," one fan tweeted.
Carlos Alcaraz putting the rest of the tour on notice at the age of 18 is easily one of the most badass things to happen in all of tennis recently.
Carlos Alcaraz has generated more hype for Tennis in the last 2 weeks than Nick Kyrgios did in the last 8 years.
Crazy how Alcaraz is more than likely to play at the ATP Finals while players older than him will compete at the Next Gen Finals
"One of the reasons I like Alcaraz is that he breaks from the "big serving counterpuncher" meta dominating ATP tennis atm- I love variety in the game. Please, if you can tho, chill a bit with the hype - it benefits no one," another fan tweeted.
One of the reasons I like Alcaraz is that he breaks from the "big serving counterpuncher" meta (coined by @mattracquet) dominating ATP tennis atm- I love variety in the game. Please, if you can tho, chill a bit with the hype - it benefits no one.
The thing I love most about this Alcaraz surge is how much people are enjoying his tennis. It's electric stuff.
How are the tennis fans who don't particularly like Carlos Alcaraz coping right now? 😂
"Hyping Alcaraz up doesn’t mean that he WONT have any bumps along the way. There will be several. There will be leads blown, several losses, times where pressure gets to him, injuries, other rivals who stop him. That is part of the journey, just as it is for all the best players," one account wrote.
Hyping Alcaraz up doesn’t mean that he WONT have any bumps along the way. There will be several. There will be leads blown, several losses, times where pressure gets to him, injuries, other rivals who stop him. That is part of the journey, just as it is for all the best players.
Never mind the obnoxious over-hyping by commentators et al but if you dislike Carlos Alcaraz these next few years are going to be very stressful for you. This kid is truly something special.
The way he solves problems on the court reminds me of the GOAT, Novak Djokovic.
Carlos Alcaraz will make his Monte-Carlo Masters debut next week
Following his historic Miami triumph, Carlos Alcaraz is scheduled to play in the Monte-Carlo Masters up next. It will mark the World No. 11's debut in the tournament.
With the Top 10!
montecarlotennismasters.com/conference-de-… https://t.co/O0SigOM9yz
The Spaniard missed out on the tournament last year due to entry ranking restrictions, but will be seeded in the top 10 this year.
Alcaraz will be joined in the Masters 1000 event by seven top-10 players, including World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, World No. 3 Alexander Zverev and defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal are the notable absentees.