US Open chief under fire for 'disgusting' 9/11 snub after men's final

United States Tennis Association (USTA) president Michael McNulty has been condemned across the tennis world after failing to mention the anniversary of 9/11 after the men's final in New York.

Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest men's World No.1 in history after beating Casper Ruud 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 to earn his maiden grand slam title at 19.

'LOVE TO SEE IT': Tennis world erupts over classy act in US Open final

'REMARKABLE': Iga Swiatek storms to nine-year first in US Open final

BIG TIME: Carlos Alcaraz feat stuns tennis world in semi-final epic at US Open

The Spaniard's stunning triumph at 19 years and four months sees him break Lleyton Hewitt's record, with the Aussie aged 20 years and eight months when he hit No.1 in 2002.

However, Alcaraz's incredible victory was somewhat overshadowed during the trophy presentation after an address from the USTA president.

McNulty made note of the war in Ukraine and the amount of money the USTA had helped raise for families and victims of the bloody conflict.

However, American viewers were incensed that he made no mention of September 11, considering it was the 21-year anniversary of the terror attacks that rocked the nation.

Ruud was praised for his runner-up speech in which the Norwegian paid tribute to the victims of 9/11.

"I send my prayers to everyone who lost their lives on this tragic day. My heart and thoughts go out to everyone to lost someone close, a relative or someone they loved so, something we never forget," Ruud said.

Alcaraz also paid tribute to those who had lost their lives in the September 11 terror attacks in New York City.

However, McNulty's controversial snub left viewers incensed, with some calling it a "disgusting" oversight from the USTA president.

Carlos Alcaraz takes World No.1 after maiden major title

Alcaraz was appearing in his eighth major tournament and second at Flushing Meadows, but already has attracted plenty of attention as someone considered the Next Big Thing in men's tennis.

He was serenaded by choruses of "Ole, Ole, Ole! Carlos!" that reverberated off the closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday —and Alcaraz often motioned to the supportive spectators to get louder.

He only briefly showed signs of fatigue from having to get through three consecutive five-setters to reach the title match, something no one had done in New York in 30 years.

Alcaraz dropped the second set and faced a pair of set points while down 6-5 in the third. But he erased each of those point-from-the-set opportunities for Ruud with soft-hand volleys he repeatedly displayed.

And with help from a series of shanked shots by a tight-looking Ruud in the ensuing tiebreaker, Alcaraz surged to the end of that set.

One break in the fourth was all it took for Alcaraz to seal the victory in the only grand slam final between two players seeking both a first major championship and the top spot in the ATP's computerised rankings, which date back to 1973.

Ruud, the 23-year-old from Norway, is now 0-2 in slam finals. He was also the runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the French Open in June.

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.