"Too bad I was the only person to beat you": Jessica Pegula takes cheeky dig at Carlos Alcaraz after US Open triumph

America’s Jessica Pegula has took a cheeky dig at Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz after he lifted the US Open title on Sunday. The 22-year-old defeated defending champion Italy’s Jannik in the final of the fourth and the final Grand Slam of the year with a score of 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 at the Flashing Meadows.

America’s women’s player, Pegula, while congratulating Alcaraz, reminded him that she was the only person to beat him at the US Open. “Congrats @carlitosalcarazz too bad I was the only person to beat you at the @usopen this year,” she wrote in a story on her official Instagram. The comment came in reference to Pegula and her partner Jack Draper’s win over Alcaraz and Britain’s Emma Raducanu in the US Open mixed doubles event.

The win was an impressive feat for Alcaraz who becomes the youngest player in the Open era in men’s tennis to win six Grand Slam titles. During the whole competition, Alcaraz just lost one set, which was in the final against Sinner. Talking about the achievement, Alcaraz praised his team for all the efforts that they put in behind the closed doors.  

“To my team and family, I am lucky to have you guys,” said Alcaraz while crediting his team. “Honored to be honest. The hard work you do to make me even better. Not only in the professional part, but also the personal part as well. I am really proud about the people I have around. Thank you very much. Every achievement I have is because of you. This one is also yours. My team. I am really lucky to have part of my family here. My brother, uncle, father, mother, my little brothers are at home watching as well. The support I’m receiving from you is great. Thank you very much”

On the other hand, the defeat for Sinner means that he has finally being overtaken at the top of the ATP rankings ladder. Sinner stayed world number one for 65 weeks, an incredible feat, especially on the first time. Talking about how does it feel to lose a final against a player who was simply unstoppable, Sinner admitted that he was second-best and congratulated Alcaraz for played outstanding tennis. Sinner also thanked his team for their support throughout an ‘incredible’ season.

“First of all I’d like to start with Carlos and his whole team,” said Sinner. “You’re doing amazing. Congrats. I know it’s a lot of hard work behind this performance today. You were better than me. Congrats. Enjoy it. It’s a great moment. My team, thank you for supporting me and understanding me. For working hard. We all know how much dedication we put in to be here. It’s been an incredible season. A lot of big stages and matches we’ve played throughout the season. I am super happy to share this moment with you, my family who’s at home, all the people I love, my friends. I tried my best today. I couldn’t do more.”

During the post-match press conference, Alcaraz opened up about how satisfying it is to achieve the goal of becoming the world number one, which he set himself earlier in the season. “When you achieve the goals you set up for yourself at the beginning of the year, it feels amazing,” said Alcaraz. “Since I got the chance to recover the No. 1, it was one of the first goals that I had during the season, just to try to recover the No. 1 as soon as possible or end the year as the No. 1. To achieve that once again, it is a dream. Doing it the same day as getting another Grand Slam feels even better. It’s everything I’m working for, and I’m really happy to be able to live these experiences.”