Match Response
Alcaraz on US Open shocker: ‘It was a battle towards myself’
Spaniard displays on gorgeous defeat
August 30, 2024
Matthew Stockman/Getty Photographs
Carlos Alcaraz waves to the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd after dropping to Botic van de Zandschulp on Thursday within the second spherical of the US Open.
By ATP Workers
Carlos Alcaraz gave full credit score to his opponent, Botic van de Zandschulp, on Thursday night after the Dutchman shocked the four-time main champion within the second spherical of the US Open. However the third seed additionally pointed the finger at himself.
“It was a battle towards myself, in my thoughts, throughout the match,” Alcaraz mentioned. “In tennis you’re taking part in towards somebody that wishes the identical as you, to win the match, and it’s a must to be as calm as you possibly can simply to assume higher within the match and attempt to do good issues.”
The 21-year-old defined there have been feelings he was unable to regulate towards van de Zandschulp, who transformed six of his 9 break factors within the match.
“I used to be up in some factors. Then I misplaced some factors, I received down. It was a curler coaster, as an example, in my thoughts,” Alcaraz mentioned. “So I am unable to be like that if I wish to take into consideration massive issues, so I’ve to enhance it. I’ve to study it.”
STATEMENT MADE 💪@Boticvdz stuns Alcaraz to advance within the Massive Apple 🍎@usopen | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/p17tGKtg0s
— ATP Tour (@atptour) August 30, 2024
Alcaraz admitted to not feeling properly hanging the ball. When he pushed to come back again, it was too late. The Spaniard hit simply 21 winners in comparison with 27 unforced errors.
“I do not know what to say proper now. To begin with, I feel he performed nice. He performed actually good tennis,” Alcaraz mentioned. “I assumed he was going to offer me extra factors. I will say extra free factors. He did not make a whole lot of errors that I assumed he was going to do. So I used to be confused somewhat bit. I did not know learn how to handle that, learn how to take care of it. I could not improve my stage.
“I feel my stage stayed on the identical level all of the match, and it wasn’t sufficient to win the match or to offer myself the possibility to get into the match or attempt to give myself possibilities. So what can I say?”
The No. 3 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings has loved one other standout season, successful back-to-back main titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He additionally claimed the silver medal on the Paris Olympics, however has now misplaced three of his previous 4 matches.
“I’ve been taking part in a whole lot of matches recently with Roland Garros, with Wimbledon, Olympic Video games,” Alcaraz mentioned. “I took somewhat break after the Olympic Video games. I assumed it was sufficient. It was actually useful for me. Most likely it wasn’t sufficient.
“However yeah, most likely I got here right here with not as a lot vitality as I assumed that I used to be going to come back. However, I imply, I do not wish to put that as excuse.”
