Carlos Alcaraz is certainly the most exciting young talent in men's tennis right now, and fans have warmed up to the Spaniard's style of play and infectious energy.
A few years ago, Wimbledon incepted a unique award category called the Breakthrough Inspiration Award, which is voted for by fans from a shortlist of four to five players who have "surpassed expectations and captured imaginations."
Tatjana Maria, Jannik Sinner, Harmony Tan, and Carlos Alcaraz were all nominated for the 2022 Wimbledon Breakthrough Inspiration Award, which is decided by fans in a poll.
The quartet enjoyed a good tournament, but there was only going to be one winner, and it was the charismatic 19-year-old who reached the fourth round at the Championships for the first time in his career before losing to his fellow rival Sinner in a classic.
Alcaaz follows the footsteps of former winner Coco Gauff, who was the inaugural winner in 2019 after making waves as a 15-year-old coming through qualifying and defeating seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams in the main draw.
Wimbledon was canceled in 2020, so the award was reserved for the 2021 season. Last year, British tennis star Emma Raducanu won it, having made the fourth round on her main draw debut. The other nominees this year also performed well above anyone's expectations.
Tatjana Maria reached her first Grand Slam semifinal in her 30s while ranked outside the Top 100. Harmony Tan upset 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams in the first round on her way to the second of a major.
Sinner, meanwhile, reached the last eight thanks to a memorable victory over Alcaraz and almost knocked out defending champion Novak Djokovic after holding a two-sets-to-love lead before bowing out in five sets.
Although it was a very disappointing exit for Alcaraz, the fans still appreciated his effort and voted for him as the new recipient of the 2022 Wimbledon Breakthrough Inspiration Award.