Carlos Alcaraz: ‘I really feel like I’ve gone backwards mentally’ | ATP Tour

Match Response

Alcaraz: ‘I really feel like I’ve gone backwards mentally’

Spaniard fell to Van de Zandschulp in US Open shock

August 30, 2024

The clock learn 35 minutes earlier than Carlos Alcaraz hit his first winner of the evening. He wanted 55 minutes extra to get the break that might open his account for the night. The Spaniard bowed out of the US Open within the second spherical by the hands of Botic van de Zandschulp after two hours and 19 minutes throughout Thursday’s late session inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

All through the match, the No. 3 within the PIF ATP Rankings incessantly pointed to his head, gesturing to his workforce that this important a part of his recreation was not operating altogether easily.

And that was precisely the place the Murcia native was pointing minutes after bowing out to the Dutchman. It was sincere. It was uncooked. It was clear and unapologetic.

“Proper now, I really feel like I’ve taken steps backwards mentally and I don’t perceive why,” admitted a serious-looking Alcaraz in Spanish as he sat earlier than the media within the US Open press convention room. “I’ve had a spectacular summer season at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. I left these tournaments saying that I’d taken a step ahead mentally. I’d realised that to win massive issues, to win Grand Slam titles, you need to be mentally sturdy.

“Now I’ve reached this swing and I’ve taken steps backwards, like I’m not doing effectively mentally, I’m not sturdy. I don’t know how one can management myself when confronted with issues and I don’t know how one can deal with it. I’ve to see precisely what occurred, or what’s occurring with me.

“It’s been a really emotional summer season, very demanding… I’ve had my moments of disconnection, however I feel I’m nonetheless studying about myself. Perhaps, as an individual, I would like extra time. I’ve to get to know myself, what I would like. Perhaps I’m the form of one who, with a calendar like that, calls for an excessive amount of of himself mentally. I’ve to see precisely what’s occurring.”

After the defeat, Alcaraz left for his lodge with one query specifically on his thoughts; what comes subsequent?

“Proper now, I actually don’t need to say something as a result of it could possibly be utterly the other,” responded the Spaniard. “I’ve to speak to the folks near me, with my workforce, my folks, and to see what steps we’ll take. Clearly, I’ve extra tournaments developing, however I actually don’t need to take into consideration that in any respect.”

The outcome means Alcaraz ends his 2024 Grand Slam season with a quarter-final run on the Australian Open, the Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles, and a second-round look on the US Open.

Editor’s observe: This story was translated from ATPTour.com/es