WATCH: Ruud forfeits a point during US Open final against Alcaraz
ATP
Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud are battling for their first Grand Slam title in the 2022 US Open final, but still, there's a lot of space for good sportsmanship.
For both players, it would be the first Grand Slam title. The winner of this match will also become a new World No. 1 player on the ATP Tour after the US Open.
Both had a very good run in New York, beating some solid players to reach the final of the last Grand Slam tournament of the season. But in the final, none of the previous matches mattered.
Alcaraz got an early lead in the match after breaking his opponent in the third game of the first set. Although both players fought hard on the court, his opponent Ruud showed great sportsmanship only a few games later.
The 19-year-old Spaniard was comfortably holding his lead, and he was only two games away from winning the opening set when he led 4-3 and was about to serve.
In the first rally of the eighth game, both players battled for the point, as it might have proven to be a crucial point that could decide the first set.
Alcaraz charged the net and played a drop shot, which his opponent only barely caught, or so it appeared. Ruud lobed the Spaniard, but after hitting the ball, the Norwegian player didn't seem to be engaged in the rally.
Alcaraz still chased the ball, and when trying to put it back into the court, he hit the net. Immediately, he complained to the umpire that his opponent didn't catch the previous ball before it hit the court the second time.
Ruud was aware that happened, and he himself was surprised that the umpire didn't call the double bounce. Therefore, he gave the Spaniard a point, which Alcaraz greatly appreciated.
