Carlos Alcaraz confirmed as youngest year-end No. 1 as Rafael Nadal is eliminated from ATP Finals

Carlos Alcaraz has been confirmed as the youngest-ever year-end No. 1 on the ATP Tour.

The 19-year-old will finish a hugely impressive season atop the rankings after Rafael Nadal was eliminated from the Nitto ATP Finals.

Alcaraz started the year ranked at No. 32, but has soared to the top on the back of five titles.

He won clay events in Rio de Janeiro and Barcelona, along with Masters titles in Miami and Madrid, where he beat Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev in successive matches.

Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam at the US Open, coming through three consecutive five-set contests before beating Ruud in the final to take the world No. 1 ranking.

The previous youngest year-end No. 1 was Lleyton Hewitt in 2001. He was 16 months older than Alcaraz.

Tsitsipas has said he is not in a “rush” to get to the top of the rankings.

“I deeply believe that I can reach that spot one day. I’m not really that much in a rush, to be honest.

“Of course, it would have been better if it happened this week…I am more here for the marathon. I see the bigger picture, the longer run.

“I have a lot of opportunities next year to play some good tennis. If it comes, I’ll be very happy, my country will be very happy, my family will be happy.”

It remains to be seen whether Nadal will play his final group match against Ruud following his elimination.

Nadal has lost his last four matches in a row and would be replaced by Holger Rune if he pulls out.