Carlos Alcaraz on ‘disconnection’ and mental adjustment at the US Open | ATP Tour

Match the Reaction

Alcaraz on ‘disconnection’ and psychological adjustment

The Spaniard dropped one set in the opening round of the US Open win

August 28, 2024

It was fifth time lucky for Li Tu on Tuesday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Against Carlos Alcaraz, the Australian dropped four points to level his US Open first-round match against the Spaniard in two sets. However, at the fifth time he asked, Tu did not make such a mistake and raised his hand to his ear when the arena erupted, glad that they could see the fierce battle, which was now tied because of the warriors of No. 186 in PIF ATP standards.

“It’s something I used to say I should improve on; ‘cut’,” Alcaraz reflected later. “I went out to this game with a lot of focus, I know what I have to do at all times. Yes, his game helped everything go well because he made a lot of mistakes, I think he was a little nervous. Then , in the second set, he raised his level and I made a lot of unnecessary mistakes. I went from second in the first set to 18 in the second. That’s a big change and that’s why the set got away from me.

“These are the things I have to improve, avoid those kinds of disconnections. I can’t allow myself to make so many mistakes without knowing why. Overall, I was happy with my level and the way I hit the ball and moved. I felt good, except for those little things that I need to improve on.”

In any case, the victory allowed Alcaraz to break a new barrier; he now has 60 major victories under his belt. Only John McEnroe, with one match, needed fewer ties to reach the mark.

“What a shame that McEnroe beat me in one game!” joked Alcaraz. “Very good statistics. I couldn’t, but that’s why we work hard every day, to try to get better, to win matches and to give ourselves the chance to reach the final round of every tournament, above all the Grand Slams. It’s an honor for me to be able to share statistics like that with great sports legends. Now we want to reach 70 and then 80. And try to get as many Grand Slams as possible.”

It wasn’t the only statistics thrown around after the game. Overtaking Tu, Alcaraz has amassed a total of 15 major tournaments, with titles at the French Open and Wimbledon and now his first at the US Open. Quite the streak.

“I honestly never thought about it,” Alcaraz admitted. “I haven’t thought about how many consecutive wins I have had in Grand Slams, but we will try to keep adding to that number. Like I said, that’s why we work so hard; to try and win as many games as possible, to produce our best quality and try to be better. And of course, to give myself the opportunity to play in the final rounds of all tournaments, above all in the Grand Slams.”