Carlos Alcaraz defeated Casper Ruud to win his first-ever Grand Slam title at the US Open and ascend to the No. 1 position in the men's game.Players and coaches have been reacting to the youngster's extraordinary achievement while also praising losing finalist Ruud for putting on a stellar show.Australian tennis legend Rod Laver lauded both finalists for an "exceptional" US final, describing them as great sportsmen."Congratulations Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud on an exceptional US Open men's final. Two great sportsmen with many more battles to come," Laver tweeted. Rod Laver@rodlaverCongratulations Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud on an exceptional US Open men's final. Two great sportsmen with many more battles to come. #USOpen20221708110Congratulations Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud on an exceptional US Open men's final. Two great sportsmen with many more battles to come. #USOpen2022Commentator and analyst Mark Petchey reckoned that both players had Rafael Nadal's "point-in-point-out mentality" while the Norwegian's serve was a less-talked-about strength."Both these two have @RafaelNadal point in point out mentality. Ruud serve has been the difference for me to this stage at the right time. Not something that gets talked about enough with Casper," Petchey observed.Mark Petchey@_markpetcheyBoth these two have @RafaelNadal point in point out mentality. Ruud serve has been the difference for me to this stage at the right time. Not something that gets talked about enough with Casper32Both these two have @RafaelNadal point in point out mentality. Ruud serve has been the difference for me to this stage at the right time. Not something that gets talked about enough with CasperTennis coach Paul Annacone spoke highly of both finalists while stating that he was looking forward to seeing a lot more of the two."Just an amazing effort by 19 year old @carlosalcaraz. What a joy to watch, @CasperRuud98, what a great tournament — 2 amazing young stars Bravo, looking forward to the many more chapters !!!!" he tweeted.Paul Annacone@paul_annaconeJust an amazing effort by 19 year old @carlosalcaraz what a joy to watch …@CasperRuud98 what a great tournament — 2 amazing young stars Bravo I am looking forward to the many more chapters !!!!1526Just an amazing effort by 19 year old @carlosalcaraz 🏆 what a joy to watch …@CasperRuud98 what a great tournament — 2 amazing young stars Bravo 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏I am looking forward to the many more chapters !!!!Former US Open champion Tracy Austin, whose son Brandon Holt upset Taylor Fritz in the first round, was all praise for the 19-year-old champion and his opponent."Congrats @carlosalcaraz on becoming No 1 and winning your 1st Major. Your power, foot speed, mentality, weapons, physicality are incredible! Just the beginning!!" Austin wrote."Also, congratulations to @CasperRuud98 for making the @usopen Finals and becoming World #2. Fantastic year, gained valuable experience, confidence, lots of improvement! Bravo!" she added.Tracy Austin@thetracyaustinCongrats @carlosalcaraz on becoming No 1 and winning your 1st Major. Your power, foot speed, mentality, weapons, physicality are incredible! Just the beginning!!@usopen64830Congrats @carlosalcaraz on becoming No 1 and winning your 1st Major. Your power, foot speed, mentality, weapons, physicality are incredible! Just the beginning!!👏🔥💪🏆🇺🇸@usopenTracy Austin@thetracyaustinAlso, congratulations to @CasperRuud98 for making the @usopen Finals and becoming World #2. Fantastic year, gained valuable experience, confidence, lots of improvement! Bravo!22Also, congratulations to @CasperRuud98 for making the @usopen Finals and becoming World #2. Fantastic year, gained valuable experience, confidence, lots of improvement! Bravo!👏🇺🇸🎾Other tennis greats also voiced their thoughts on the epic final:Billie Jean King@BillieJeanKingCongratulations to @carlosalcaraz, the youngest #USOpen champion since Pete Sampras! (Photo from 2021).256189Congratulations to @carlosalcaraz, the youngest #USOpen champion since Pete Sampras! (Photo from 2021). https://t.co/2dezvJvtwsDavid Nalbandian@nalbandiandavidPrimer Grand Slam y número 1 del mundo! 🥇Felicitaciones @carlosalcaraz @juankiferri y a todo el equipo por el trabajo que hacen! 1093Primer Grand Slam y número 1 del mundo! 🥇🇺🇸Felicitaciones @carlosalcaraz @juankiferri y a todo el equipo por el trabajo que hacen! 👏 https://t.co/vHANdQYmVYGarbiñe Muguruza@GarbiMuguruzaBravo @carlosalcaraz !!!Felicidades por el título y por el N1. Disfrutadlo!! @usopen 3028225Bravo @carlosalcaraz !!!Felicidades por el título y por el N1. 💪💪💪Disfrutadlo!! 🇪🇸 🎾 @usopen 🇺🇸Coco Gauff@CocoGauffamazing!! congrats @carlosalcaraz2721122amazing!! congrats @carlosalcarazJames Blake@JRBlakeCongratulations to the two historic champions @carlosalcaraz and @iga_swiatek Seems like a repeat from @MiamiOpen Amazing performances.642Congratulations to the two historic champions @carlosalcaraz and @iga_swiatek Seems like a repeat from @MiamiOpen Amazing performances.A@AnisimovaAmandaAmazing tennis from Carlos this week 🤯 it was fun to watch! twitter.com/usopen/status/…US Open Tennis@usopenThree years later, Carlos Alcaraz is following in Rafael Nadal's footsteps!45324Three years later, Carlos Alcaraz is following in Rafael Nadal's footsteps! https://t.co/rRNweRpXrdAmazing tennis from Carlos this week 🤯 it was fun to watch! twitter.com/usopen/status/…“It is something I have dreamt of since I was a kid" - Carlos AlcarazCarlos Alcaraz after winning the 2022 US Open titleCarlos Alcaraz laid down on the court for a few moments before embracing his opponent and climbing the stands to meet his team after winning his maiden Grand Slam title.During his on-court interview, the understandably-emotional teenager said that it was difficult for him to find the right words to sum up the big moment. He did, however, stress all the hard work that has been put in.“It is something I have dreamt of since I was a kid. To be No. 1 in the world, to be champion of a Grand Slam, is something I have worked really, really hard. It is tough to talk right now, I have lots of emotions. This is something I have tried to achieve. All the hard work I have done with my team and my family. I am just 19 years old, all the tough decisions have been with my parents and my team as well. It is something that is really special for me," a delighted Carlos Alcaraz said.