Carlos Alcaraz on US Open shocker: ‘It was a battle against me’ | ATP Tour

Match the Reaction

Alcaraz on US Open shocker: ‘It was a battle against me’

The Spaniard shows a stunning defeat

August 30, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz heaped praise on his rival, Botic van de Zandschulp, on Thursday evening after the Dutchman stunned the four-time major champion in the second round of the US Open. But the third seed also pointed the finger.

“It was a battle for me, in my mind, during the game,” Alcaraz said. “In tennis you play with someone who wants the same as you, to win the match, and you have to be as calm as possible to think better in the game and try to do good things.”

The 21-year-old explained that there were emotions he could not control against van de Zandschulp, who converted six of his nine points at halftime in the match.

“I was on top of some points. Then I lost points, I went down. It was a roller coaster, let’s say, in my mind,” said Alcaraz. “So I won’t be like that if I want to think about big things, I have to develop myself. I have to learn about it.”

STATEMENT MADE 💪@Boticvdz scared Alcaraz to advance to the Big Apple 🍎@uvule | #USOVula pic.twitter.com/p17tGKtg0s

– ATP Tour (@atptour) August 30, 2024

Alcaraz admitted that he didn’t feel good hitting the ball. When he pushed to come back, it was already late. The Spaniard hit just 21 winners compared to 27 unforced errors.

“I don’t know what to say right now. First of all, I think you played well. He played really good tennis,” said Alcaraz. “I thought you were going to give me some points. I will mention some free points. He didn’t make as many mistakes as I thought he would. So I was a little confused. I didn’t know how to handle that, how to deal with it. I couldn’t raise my level.

“I think my level stayed in the same place the whole game, and it wasn’t enough to win the game or give myself a chance to get into the game or try to give myself chances. So what can I say?”

The No. 3 player in the PIF ATP Rankings enjoyed another outstanding season, winning back-to-back major titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He also won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, but has now lost three of his last four matches.

“I’ve been playing a lot of matches recently with Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the Olympic Games,” said Alcaraz. “I took a break after the Olympic Games. I thought that was enough. It was really helpful for me. Maybe it wasn’t enough.

“But yes, maybe I came here not as strong as I thought I would. But, I don’t want to use that as an excuse.”