Carlos Alcaraz has been ranked in the world's top two since 2022 but faces a probable exit from that position at the end of the Miami Open.
Alcaraz made his ATP debut at the age of 16 in 2020 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He famously defeated compatriot Albert Ramos Vinolas in his opening match for his first-ever ATP win.
Four years later, Alcaraz has won over 100 matches and collected two Grand Slams. He also enjoyed a meteoric rise in the ATP rankings. At the time of his main draw debut, he was ranked World No. 406.
But in just under three years, he was ranked World No. 1 after his seismic US Open win in September 2022. He remains the youngest player to achieve the world No. 1 ranking on the ATP Tour at the age of 19.
Alcaraz maintained his position in the top two, often changing places with Novak Djokovic in the past year at least seven times. The Serb eventually solidified his spot and clinched the year-end No. 1 for the eighth time last season.
The Spaniard had a chance to unseat Djokovic from the top of the world rankings at the start of 2024 but lost in the Australian Open quarterfinals. As a result, it was Jannik Sinner who took full advantage of Alcaraz's slump, bridging the gap on the top two.
And although Alcaraz ended Sinner's undefeated streak to 2024 in Indian Wells and secured the No. 2 ranking for at least another fortnight, he is set to relinquish it on Monday should the Italian win in Miami.
The 20-year-old was knocked out in the quarterfinal stage of the second ATP 1000 tournament by an inspired Grigor Dimitrov. Sinner, meanwhile, progressed into the final by beating Daniil Medvedev.
If Sinner wins the tournament, he will overtake Alcaraz. The two-time Grand Slam champion will then have his lowest ATP ranking since August 2022.
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