'Really proud' Carlos Alcaraz accepts ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours

ATP Tour

'Really proud' Alcaraz accepts ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours

Spaniard thanks his team and the fans for their support

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ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi and Carlos Alcaraz at the ceremony recognising the Spaniard's ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honour. By ATP Staff

Carlos Alcaraz accepted his ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF trophy on Friday afternoon at the Nitto ATP Finals.

The Spaniard clinched the honour on Thursday evening when he defeated Lorenzo Musetti to move to 3-0 in round-robin play at the season finale. It is the second time he has achieved the feat (also 2022).

“It is a pleasure for me [being] the No. 1,” Alcaraz said. “Being the No. 1 of the world is something that I’m working really hard for with my team every day. It is a goal. But I think it is a journey that you’re not going through alone. It’s with your whole team, with your family, with your close people behind you always supporting you in the tough and good moments, which I’m really, really proud about: having such a great team.”

Alcaraz pointed out that when he first earned Year-End No. 1 honours in 2022, he had the same team. They have stuck together and continued to reap the rewards.

“I’m still really proud about the team I have right now,” Alcaraz said. “Some new members in the team that I’m really happy and proud to share this moment with them as well. For me it’s a great achievement. It means the world to me and I’m just really proud and happy.”

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi and Head of Corporate Brand and Strategic Advisory at PIF Mohamed Alsayyad presented Alcaraz the trophy.

The 22-year-old is chasing his first Nitto ATP Finals title. The Spaniard has booked his semi-final spot and will take on two-time champion Alexander Zverev or Felix Auger-Aliassime on Saturday.

But before returning his focus to the task at hand in Turin, Alcaraz thanked fans around the world.

“I want to continue because the support that I’m receiving everywhere that I’m going, I can’t thank enough the people,” Alcaraz said. “We’re traveling since the 1st of January until the end of November — new places, new countries, new stages and the people are always the same. The great energy, the great atmosphere, I feel the love everywhere that I’m going.

“In some tournaments, in some matches without the support of the people it wouldn’t be possible to come back, to win, to lift trophies. So I really want to say thank you for all the people who are coming to every tournament, to every match, that are supporting tennis, supporting myself. I’m really grateful for everyone for the energy and the love that I am receiving. This trophy is obviously for them.”

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