Now both men have made history for their country, leaving a permanent mark on the history books.
Zheng Qinwen became the first Chinese player to win an Olympic tennis singles gold medal when she held off Croatia's Donna Vekic for a 6-2, 6-3 win in a tense final on Saturday.
The Spaniard needed less than 90 minutes to dispatch the 23rd seed from Italy
Novak Djokovic said his rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz was becoming like the one he shared with the Spaniard's compatriot, Rafa Nadal, after needing nearly four hours to outlast the 20-year-old world number one in an epic Cincinnati Open final on Sunday.
It was an emotional win for Aryna Sabalenka, who missed Wimbledon last month due to a shoulder injury.
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the quarter-finals of the Queen's Club Championships.
Britain's Cameron Norrie fought back from a set down to beat world number two Carlos Alcaraz 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 in the Rio Open final on Sunday.
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Argentina's World Cup winning captain Lionel Messi was named the Laureus Sportsman of the Year, while sprint champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce bagged the top women's honour.
US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz crashed to defeat on his debut as world number one, losing to Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime in their Davis Cup Finals group-stage clash on Friday.
Images from Day 8 of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on Sunday.
The unpredictable nature of the 2024 US Open has turned it into one of the most thrilling Grand Slam tournaments in recent memory.
Images from the US Open men's singles semi-finals at Flushing Meadows, New York, on Friday.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz is the new big thing in men's tennis but says Novak Djokovic remains the favourite.
Rafael Nadal withdrew from Indian Wells on Wednesday on the eve of his first-round match.
Sonam wore a green toned checked print trench coat by Burberry and teamed it with matching tights and black high heels.
Images from the men's singles Round of 16 matches at the US Open on Monday.
Rublev came into the tournament on a four-match losing streak, but has eased into the final, knocking out second seed Carlos Alcaraz on the way, and will face unseeded Canadian Auger-Aliassime for the title on Sunday.
As a sporting spectacle Alcaraz and Djokovic matches have delivered on every level and would be worthy of the Big Apple spotlight.
'I'm happy to be part of this Italian movement. People, they start to play tennis now more and more, which is great to see. I think that's the most important.'
Images from the US Open men's singles third round match at Flushing Meadows, New York, on Friday.
Images from the men's singles semi-finals at the US Open semi-finals, at Flushing Meadows, New York, on Friday.
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He will surpass Roger Federer's record as the oldest No. 1 in ATP Rankings history on Sunday when he will be 36 years and 321 days old.
Novak Djokovic described Carlos Alcaraz as like facing a blend of the big three -- himself, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer.
World No 1 Novak Djokovic said Carlos Alcaraz is the man to beat on clay and is one of the top title contenders for the French Open.
Carlos Alcaraz ended Australian qualifier Max Purcell's dream run to reach the Cincinnati Open semi-finals
Carlos Alcaraz stayed on course for his fourth title of 2023 by powering into the semi-finals of the Madrid Open.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz marked his return to action following his Wimbledon triumph with a battling 4-6, 6-4 (10-8) win over David Goffin in their Hopman Cup clash on Friday but could not prevent Spain from losing 2-1 to Belgium.
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz reached the semi-finals at the Queen's Club Championships with a straight sets victory over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.
Zverev and Rublev among dark horses for French Open
Carlos Alcaraz crashed to a humbling 6-3 7-6(4) defeat by Hungarian qualifier Fabian Marozsan in the third round of the Italian Open.
Images from the men's singles action at the US Open on Sunday.
Carlos Alcaraz swatted aside Serbian Dusan Lajovic as Canadian Bianca Andreescu cruised past American Sofia Kenin in straight sets at Miami Open.
Twice finalist Ruud overcomes Davidovich Fokina test
Novak Djokovic continues his hunt for a fifth straight Wimbledon title and eighth overall to equal Roger Federer's record haul when the Serbian meets Jannik Sinner.
Alexander Zverev said his energy began to fade midway through his five-sets Australian Open semi-final loss to Daniil Medvedev
Andrea Binaghi, who has headed the Italian tennis federation (FITP) since 2001, pointed to reforms over the last 10-15 years to decentralise the coaching system and offer more financial, technical and psychological support to young talent.
The real fashion standout is Carlos Alcaraz, the 20-year-old sensation, who has adopted a unique sleeveless look.
Along with offering a trophy and spot in the tennis history books, the four Grand Slams also provide serious financial incentive for would-be champions.
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