Carlos Alcaraz admits he couldnt control his emotions during his loss to Botic van de Zands

Carlos Alcaraz has revealed that he couldn’t control his emotions after his shock defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the 2024 US Open. The four-time Grand Slam winner was widely expected to blow past his opponent and advance to the third round of the major event. However, he fell in straight sets to make an early exit.

Alcaraz arrived at the US Open following his triumphs at the French Open and Wimbledon. He had also reached the final of the Paris Olympics, where he lost to Novak Djokovic and took home the silver medal. He lost to Gael Monfils in the second round of the Cincinnati Open just before heading to New York.

Alcaraz avoided a scare in the first round against Li Tu, winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 to advance to the next round. In the second round, he struggled with his game against Van de Zandschulp, committing 27 unforced errors, which the Dutchman used to his advantage to beat the Spaniard 6-1, 7-5, 6-4.

After the loss, the Spaniard revealed that he struggled during the match and could not control his emotions. He admitted that he was mentally not in the right place during the defeat.

To win, you have to be as calm as you can to think better in the match and try to do good things. Today I was playing against the opponent as well as myself in my mind. A lot of emotions I couldn’t control. I was up in some points. Then I’d lose some points and get down. It was a rollercoaster in my mind. It can’t be like that if I want to think about big things. I have to improve it. I have to learn about it. 

The 21-year-old has failed to defend his ranking points in two consecutive tournaments now. Two weeks ago, he failed to match last year’s runner-up finish at the Cincinnati Open. At the US Open, where he reached the semifinals last year, he has now made a second-round exit.

Carlos Alcaraz admits he has got to ‘know himself’ following his early exit at 2024 US Open

Carlos Alcaraz has admitted that he is still getting to know himself following his defeat to Botic Van de Zandschulp in the second round of the US Open. The 21-year-old had a spectacular summer, winning two Grand Slams and an Olympic silver medal.

However, following the Paris Olympics, Alcaraz has won two and lost two of his last four matches. The Spaniard was among the top favorites to win the US Open. But after making an early exit, he has admitted that he will need time away from the very demanding sport to get back into rhythm.

The truth is that it has been a very emotional summer, very demanding as I said. The tennis calendar is very tight, things are super tight. I have had my moments of disconnection. But well, I think that I am still getting to know myself and maybe as a person I need more time. I have to get to know myself. 

Van de Zandschulp, on the other hand, will be looking to build on his stunning win against Alcaraz when he takes on 25th seed Jack Draper in the third round on Saturday (August 31).

In case you missed it:

ncG1vNJzZmiemafAtb%2FPqKmtsl6YvK57wpqppaejYq6tr8CrmLNlkZm6qsDSZp%2BeZZOkwq2wza1knKeeqb%2BwuIyhoKxllaK8tbXOp6pmnKWntq%2BzjKGgrGWcpMC0edOoZJunpJ6wbsLAp2SdnV2vrq%2Bw0pyfrqSgYq61edOhnGato2K8sbHNaA%3D%3D