Carlos Alcaraz expressed deep frustration following his shocking defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the US Open. The match, which took place in Arthur Ashe Stadium, saw Alcaraz struggle significantly, taking 35 minutes to register his first winner and another 55 minutes to secure his first break.
After the loss, a visibly serious Alcaraz addressed the media, candidly reflecting on his mental state. “Right now, I feel like I’ve taken steps backwards mentally and I don’t understand why,” he confessed in Spanish. He noted that after a successful summer at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, he felt he had made positive strides mentally. However, he now senses a regression, saying, “I’m not doing well mentally, I’m not strong.”
Alcaraz opened up about the emotional toll of recent tournaments and acknowledged that he might be holding himself to high mental standards given his packed calendar. “I think I’m still learning about myself… I have to see exactly what’s going on,” he remarked, indicating a desire for self-reflection and understanding.
As he left the venue, Alcaraz pondered his next steps but was hesitant to make any immediate plans. “I honestly don’t want to think about that at all,” he stated, emphasizing the need for discussions with his team before making decisions about future tournaments.
This loss concludes Alcaraz’s Grand Slam season for 2024, where he reached the quarter-finals at the Australian Open and claimed titles at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, while now facing an exit in the second round at the US Open.