NEW YORK — The anticipation around Carlos Alcaraz at the U.S. Open has reached a fever pitch, but as the tournament progressed, it became clear that a turning point he desperately sought never came. Alcaraz, the 21-year-old sensation with four Grand Slam titles under his belt, including a victory at Flushing Meadows as a teenager, entered the tournament as a top contender. Having recently clinched championships at the French Open and Wimbledon, complemented by a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, many viewed him as the frontrunner.
However, in a stunning setback, Alcaraz fell to 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp, who claimed victory with a decisive score of 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. This result, remarkable not only for the upset but also for the ease with which van de Zandschulp won, left observers in disbelief.
In the aftermath, Alcaraz expressed concern over his mental state. “Instead of taking steps forward, I’ve taken steps back mentally. I can’t understand the reason why,” he stated. His bewilderment was palpable as he struggled to execute simple plays. “I couldn’t see the ball well… I couldn’t hit it properly. It’s quite a weird sensation,” he admitted.
Across the court, van de Zandschulp, a 28-year-old who had contemplated retirement prior to this event and entered the match with a season record of 11-18, was astounded by the nature of the competition. He reflected on how he anticipated a resurgence from Alcaraz throughout the match.
Despite the surrounding pressure, Alcaraz seemed unable to regain his footing. The match felt as much a battle against his opponent as it did against his own mental barriers. He remarked, “Today I was playing against the opponent, and I was playing against myself, in my mind.”
When prompted about the possibility of exhaustion after a demanding tournament schedule, Alcaraz acknowledged that a packed calendar could contribute to his performance. Despite the weariness, he emphasized that it should not serve as an excuse for his performance.
In reflecting on his recent experiences, including a painful loss to Novak Djokovic in the Olympic final, the weight of the moment seemed to linger heavily on him. Having lost three of his last four matches, Alcaraz must now find a way to move forward and prepare for the next Grand Slam, the Australian Open, set for January.
In a sport where only two men in the past 55 years have managed to win championships in Paris, London, and New York in a single season, Alcaraz has much to ponder. “I have to think about it. I have to learn from it… if I want to improve,” he concluded.
