Flashback: Carlos Alcaraz explodes on ATP Tour stage with late-night upset in 2020 | ATP Tour

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Flashback: Alcaraz explodes onto ATP Tour stage with late-night upset in 2020

Then at the age of 16, Alcaraz was ranked number 406 in the PIF ATP Rankings in Rio de Janeiro.

February 21, 2026

Before his rapid rise to become the youngest number 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings in September 2022, Carlos Alcaraz was world number 406 when he made his ATP Tour debut at the Rio Open presented by Claro on 17 February 2020.

Six years ago this week, then 16 years old, the Spaniard quickly showed drama in his introduction – a feature that continues to define the star’s career. A wildcard at the ATP 500 in Brazil, Alcaraz earned his first tour-level win at 3 a.m., after three hours and 37 minutes of twists and turns against Albert Ramos-Vinolas on the red clay of Brazil.

From 0-3, 0/40 down in the decider, the Spaniard unleashed his fury to rattle off five games to the brink of victory. After showing his style, he then relied on grit to close out the match with a decisive decision, 7-6 (2), 4-6, 7-6 (2).

“I will miss Rio forever,” Alcaraz said. “I’m very happy to win my first ATP Tour match. This was the longest and most intense match I’ve played so far. There were tough conditions, but if you have the right attitude, the conditions don’t matter. You can win anything.”

That same mindset helped Alcaraz climb the PIF ATP Rankings in the months and years that followed. He finished the 2020 season at No. 141, moved up to No. 32 at the end of 2021 and ended the year at No. 1 in 2022.

“I always have positive thoughts. I always think I can win, no matter who I am against,” said the Spaniard after beating World No. 41 Ramos-Vinolas. “If you don’t think you can win, you shouldn’t go to court.”

The victory made Alcaraz the youngest player to win an ATP 500 match in the history of the series (since 2009), the youngest overall winner of the ATP Tour since Cristian Garin in 2013 (Vina del Mar) and the youngest Spaniard to win at the tour level since Rafael Nadal in 2002 (Mallorca). Alcaraz also became the youngest player to beat a Top-50 opponent since Richard Gasquet beat Feliciano Lopez in 2003 (Marseille).

Alcaraz had never faced a top 100 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, but he showed no fear in his debut at the tour level. Flashing the power, versatility and gun selection he would soon become famous for, the young man looked at ease on the big stage.

Building points around his forehand and setting that up with topspin backhands, Alcaraz led for a set and a break before Ramos-Vinolas won seven of eight games from 2-3 in the second set. But just when it looked like the physicality of the game was too much for the 16-year-old, Alcaraz turned the tide with a burst of his own.

Although he was broken at love in his attempt to break out at 5-4, Alcaraz rallied and dominated the break decision, dropping his racquet and bringing his hands to his face in celebration after serving his fourth game point.

Alcaraz eventually bowed out to Federico Coria in three sets in the second round of Rio de Janeiro and did not play another tour-level match in 2020. But his victory against Ramos-Vinolas, combined with two ATP Challenger Tour titles later in the year, ensured that the hype surrounding the Spaniard continued to grow – with his game growing rapidly.

Although his first memorable victory ended hours before dawn, it marked the beginning of a rise that would soon light up the ATP Tour. And this week, six years later, Alcaraz is World No. 1 and will compete in the final of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha.