Alcaraz, 19, defeated 23-year-old Rudd 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 in a match that lasted more than three hours.
Alcaraz became the youngest winner of a men’s singles Grand Slam since compatriot Rafael Nadal won his first major title in June 2005.
“This is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid. To be number 1 in the world, to be a hero,” said Alcaraz, adding that he thought about some of his family members who couldn’t see the movie. him playing.
“I always say it’s not the time to get tired in the last round of a Grand Slam, you have to give your everything inside,” he said.
Rudd said he will continue to chase the #1 spot.
“Today was a special day, Carlos and I knew what we were playing for and they both knew what a wedge was,” Rudd said. “I’m disappointed, of course, that I’m not #1, but #2 isn’t bad either.”
“It’s the final in a major tournament, and I’m fighting for number one in the world – something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid,” Alcaraz told reporters early Saturday after defeating Francis Tiafoe in the quarter-finals.
Alcaraz, a clay-court specialist, has drawn comparisons to 22-times Grand Slam champion Nadal who is only the second player in the Open Era to reach the US Open final as a teen after Pete Sampras.
“Right now, you can see that all the hard work I put in every day is paying off,” Alcaraz told reporters early Saturday.
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