Tennis. Alcaraz-Siner, two stars of the New York night, 2022 game of the year

Canada’s victory in the Davis Cup marked the end of the tennis season. There’s nothing better to review a crazy season than lingering over the highlights of a year that’s sure to preserve the administrative wrangles and flashes of Novak Djokovic, the tears of a young retired Roger Federer caught in the weight. years and the arrival of Carlos Alcaraz, released from his body, a figure of a new generation for whom the sky is the limit, the mental and physical qualities outside the norm of Rafael Nadal, the indestructible and incomparable fighter and the misfortunes of Alexander. Zverev suffered a serious right ankle injury during an epic match against Nadal at Roland Garros. The best.

Carlos Alcaraz invites himself as the red (and yellow) thread of the season. The 19-year-old Spaniard racked up trophies (5 titles in 7 finals), became the youngest player to become world No. 1, finished the season at the top of the rankings and participated in some of the most remarkable matches. according to the ATP ranking of the season.

1) US Open (quarterfinals), Alcaraz-Sinner 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-7(0), 7-5, 6-3. Two stars shine in the New York sky

Unbreathable. Twin stars Carlos Alcaraz and Yannick Sinner shined on New York’s night. Competing with guts, strength and heart, the duo seemed inseparable for a long time. And the Spaniard, saving the match point in the 4th set with a score of 4-5, eventually escaped. At the end of an unforgettable match that ended at 02:50 am with a mixture of fatigue and emotion from the brilliant fighters, the victory chose its camp after 5:15 am, which was completely crazy. “ Honestly, I still don’t know how I did it. You have to believe in yourself. I believed in my game, it was really difficult to finish the match. I tried to stay calm, but it’s hard at the moment“, the stunned Spaniard admitted after this match, which will be the last in the history of the US Open (the second longest match in the history of the tournament). Legendary game. “ Sinner and Carlos could headline the tour for the next ten years “Juan Carlos Ferrero, the coach of the Spaniard, admitted in shock.

2) Australian Open (final), Nadal-Medvedev 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5. Nadal, the player of a thousand lives

Destiny. Rafael Nadal can move mountains again and again. A vivid example of this was brought by the Spaniard in the final of the Australian Open. Leads 2 sets 0, back to the wall as Medvedev has 3 break points in 3^e round, the indomitable Spaniard managed to take down the Russian after a stunning mental and physical battle. Or how to cling to the thread with the strength of despair, how to distill the poison of doubt in the opponent’s mind centimeter by centimeter in order to end up turning the table. Master class. Another one. New legendary fight (5h24). To crown a new Grand Slam crown (second in Melbourne, after 2009). Forever Nadal…” I was amazed. I was trying to just play tennis during the match, but after the match I asked him “are you tired” because it was crazy. After six months away from the courts due to a left leg injury, Nadal returned to the stage. With shine. The one who lost the XXL final in Melbourne (5h53 against Djokovic in 2012).

3) Australian Open (3rd round), Berettini-Alcaraz 6-2, 7-6(3), 4-6, 2-6, 7-6 (10-5). Alcaraz the wind is rising

Already feared by the players, followed by the attention of the spectators and the viewers, Carlos Alcaraz presents an overview of his will and his talent since the month of January. He grabs Matteo Berettini by the throat, beats him, pushes him into the ropes. Then looks for a second wind, struggles, resists and curves the super tie-break in the 5th set. A dark look in which fear has no place. The Spaniard bows down at the end. Disappointment falls on his broad shoulders and a brief clouded look, but he has made a deal. Berettini and his entourage know this. “ I had no ATP points at his age and he will only get better. He showed everyone his potential “, – emphasizes the Italian, happy that he overcame the obstacle.

4) Roland Garros (Semifinals), Nadal-Zverev 7-6 (10/8), 6-6 (Abandonment). Zverev’s shattered dream.

This is the story of an unfinished game that left an impression. For 3:13 local master Rafael Nadal was shocked as rarely. Under the roof of the Philippe Chatrier court, the length of the ball and the power of Alexander Zverev (especially in the opposite direction) bend the Spaniard. Zverev leads 4-2 in the 1st^eh set, then has 4 set points in the tie-break before loosening his grip slightly and finding himself unrelenting by his opponent. in 2^e sets, crazy exchanges (one of 44 shots), multiple breaks increase the intensity in the Davis Cup atmosphere. Zverev serves for 5-3 to win the set. In vain. He misses two more chances before hitting the ground, his right ankle locking up at the end of the race. His cry freezes the arena. The party is over. Cruel. Bitter. His exit, on crutches, is moving. From that day, between grace and drama, the German prepares for his return … Rafael Nadal, he flies to 14^e degree in Paris.

5) Roland Garros (quarterfinals), Cilic-Rublev 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (10-2). Cilic for the love of the game.

Marin Cilic is playing well at Roland Garros. The Croatian just edged out Daniil Medvedev as he faces Andrey Rublev for a place in the semi-finals. 30 aces, constantly taking risks, he offers himself a second youth, hitting and running, resisting the opponent’s darts and regularity. And jealously lands at the foot of a super tie-break. Leading 2-1, he masterfully scored the next 9 points. “ I played this kind of tennis throughout the match, and the fifth set in particular was an incredible battle… It was my day, but Andrey also played an incredible match; “, he tastes. Casper Rude will come to stop his beautiful Parisian adventure.

The ATP also ranked the matches of the year (excluding Grand Slams):
1) Madrid (Semifinals), Alcaraz-Djokovic 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5)
2) Madrid (3:^e round), Nadal-Goffin 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(9)
3) Hamburg (Final), Musetti-Alcaraz 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-4.
4) Rolex Paris Masters (Semifinals), Djokovic-Tsitsipas 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(4)
5) Miami (quarterfinals), Alcaraz-Kecmanovic 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(5)