“Mentally I’m not well” – An unrecognisable Alcaraz leaves New York full of doubts

Carlos Alcaraz’s run at the 2024 US Open came to an unexpected and abrupt end, as the Spaniard was eliminated in the second round, marking one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. The world number three fell to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4, revealing a side of vulnerability rarely seen in the young champion.

In his post-match press conference, Alcaraz candidly admitted his struggles. “Mentally, I’m not well, I’m not strong. I don’t know how to deal with problems; I don’t know how to handle them,” he confessed. The match showcased his internal battle as much as the physical one on the court. From the outset, Alcaraz struggled to find his rhythm. His forehand, usually a reliable weapon, misfired repeatedly, and he failed to hit winners in the first set. As the match progressed, frustration grew, with the smiles that typically define his game few and far between.

Reflecting on the match, Alcaraz said, “It was a fight against myself. Today I played against my opponent and also against myself in my head. There were a lot of emotions that I couldn’t handle.” His struggles were evident not only in his own demeanor but also in the concerned faces of his team. Juan Carlos Ferrero, his coach; Albert Molina, his manager; and David Ferrer, Spain’s Davis Cup captain, all watched helplessly as their player failed to break free from the psychological maze he found himself in.

This loss dashed any hopes Alcaraz had of matching the legendary feats of Rod Laver and Rafael Nadal, who in 1969 and 2008 respectively, won Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open in the same season. It also capped a disappointing North American tour for Alcaraz, who had earlier lost in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters to Gael Monfils—a match he described as “the worst” of his life.

“I’ve taken steps backward in terms of my head, and I don’t understand why. I came from a spectacular summer, after Roland Garros and Wimbledon, I felt like I had advanced, that my head was solid,” Alcaraz reflected. His frustration boiled over in Cincinnati, where he famously destroyed his racquet in a moment of anger, an incident for which he later apologized.

In New York, however, the intense atmosphere of the Arthur Ashe Stadium did little to inspire a turnaround. Alcaraz was unable to channel the energy of the crowd into his game, and his quest for a 16th consecutive Grand Slam victory ended prematurely. Instead of advancing further in the tournament, Alcaraz will now have unexpected time off. He mentioned the possibility of playing golf as a way to reset his mind, acknowledging that he arrived in New York with less energy than anticipated.

As he prepares to head back to Spain, Alcaraz will have a week’s holiday—time that wasn’t initially in his plans. Following his break, he’ll join the Spanish Davis Cup team in Valencia, where he’ll look to regain the mental and physical form that made him one of the sport’s most exciting young talents.