Carlos Alcaraz, Ozeki

Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz became the 38th male Ozeki (=Champion) of the Open Era by reaching the semifinal at the 2023 French Open, following his victory at the 2022 US Open. Together these results suffice to clear the 'great hurdle' - the literal meaning of 'Ozeki' in Japanese. 

At just 20 years of age, Alcaraz is one of the younger recent Ozeki promotions. The French Open have in general be good for the current crop of Ozeki: Caspar Ruud, Iga Swiatek, Ons Jabeur, and Aryna Sabalenka all held rank with quarterfinal participations or better. Elena Rybakina goes kadoban as she withdrew sick - she needs to reach the quarterfinals at Wimbledon to remain an Ozeki. 

Moreover, ex-Ozeki Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev also had a successful tournament and established themselves one level below their career peak at Sekiwake (=Junior Champion II).