Carlos Alcaraz raises funds for Down Syndrome patients by donating his US Open winning shoes
19 year old makes generous contribution to hometown charity to raise funds.
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Carlos Alcaraz lifts the US Open
World Number 1 Carlos Alcaraz donated the sneakers he wore to victory at the US Open to charity. Assido, a charity working with people with Down Syndrome, was the beneficiary of Alcaraz’s generosity. With the proceeds of an auction of the pair going to the charity, Alcaraz signed the sneakers to add value to them. The young Spaniard’s shoes ended up fetching €2250 each.
Assido was founded in Alcaraz’s birthplace of Murcia in the 1980s. The organization’s president paid tribute to the tennis star, thanking him for his contribution. “Once again, our ambassador Carlos Alcaraz demonstrates his commitment to the people of his land and to the people of Murcia who need it most by helping to make many life projects of people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities come true and spreading the values of Assido through the whole world,” said Victor Martinez.
After securing the US Open in September, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest year-end number-one in history. He overcame world number 3 Casper Ruud in the final in a captivating 3-hour battle. Alcaraz shot up from 32nd to the summit of the ATP rankings following the win, becoming the first teenager to finish in that position and the first non “Big Four” player since 2003.
The enormous success hasn’t changed Alcaraz, and he has now given back to the town which nurtured him. He has shown himself to be an elite athlete, a kind-hearted person, and a role model to younger generations through his actions. He would hope further success brings him more opportunities to make a difference like this.
The Nike athlete will be looking to build on his position as he enters the 2023 season at the Australian Open. With competition from veterans Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz will have to dig in to hold onto his spot. However, having 2000 points available at the First Grand Slam of the year gives him an advantage.
Read Also: Ivan Lendl credits Carlos Alcaraz’s success to Juan Carlos Ferrero’s coaching techniques.
Adjusting to life at Number 1
Carlos Alcaraz’s stunning year ended with the number 1 ranking, a position he has held for 16 weeks. But the Spaniard has taken his time to adjust to the new reality. His coach Juan Carlos Ferrera said that Alcaraz is adjusting to the pressure of being No.1. Ferrera noted that being in that position at age 19 is not easy.
Fresh off recovering from a muscle tear in his abdomen, Alcaraz has focused on returning to form. He is bullish about dealing with life in the limelight, though. He says, “I have to be prepared for that, the pressure. The people, the players as well, are going to have all their eyes on me and I’m going to have to be prepared for that.”
Carlos Alcaraz will enter the Australian Open as the top seed, and all eyes are on him. Coming off a record-breaking year will have changed him as a player. The tougher draw will present new challenges, and the man dubbed the “Next Nadal” seems ready.
Also Read: Martina Navratilova confident Ons Jabeur can disrupt Iga Swiatek’s dominance in 2023
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