Carlos Alcaraz has reached a major milestone as he becomes the first player born in the 2000s to surpass 20 million dollars in prize money.

World No. 1 Alcaraz just missed out on the title at the Cincinnati Open, being defeated by Novak Djokovic, who won the match 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4). Nevertheless, the runner-up cheque of $556,630 will take the 20-year-old's prize money earnings over $20 million dollars.

Alcaraz came into the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati with $19,810,077 in prize money. The Spaniard collected a hefty 2,350,000 in GBP (2,994,793 dollars) last month after he won his second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.

Some tennis fans reacted by praising the young tennis star.

"you are the best player in the world right now and will continue to be so. Your game is dazzling and powerful," one Twitter user wrote.

"Good for him, he’s earned it and lots more to come," commented another.

However, others pointed out how this milestone also acts as a sad reminder of the inequality in prize money received between the ATP and WTA Tours. Indeed, the champion of the WTA side of the tournament Coco Gauff received $454,500, which is 102,200 dollars less than Alcaraz's second-place cheque.

Looking at the bigger picture, some fans mentioned that, while Alcaraz has won two Grand Slam titles which is no easy feat, WTA world No. 1 Iga Swiatek has won four majors and is still 100k short of $20 million.

"And Iga Świątek despite winning 4 Slams and having 15 tournaments in total, is still 100k short of $20 million," one wrote.

"The WTA is a lot more fun to watch. They get paid less for playing the same 3 set type tournaments. And every final is not always the same 3 or 4 players," added another.

All four Grand Slams have offered equal prize money to men and women since 2007. Meanwhile, the WTA has pledged to offer the same equality in pay at all WTA-ATP 1000 and 500 events by 2027, and at all events where men and women players aren't at the same location by 2033.