‘I Didn’t Want To Touch The Racket’: Alcaraz Reveals Brutal Reality After US Open Heartbreak

Winning the 2024 China Open was a pivotal moment for Carlos Alcaraz, who had faced a challenging period in the months leading up to the tournament. Alcaraz had dominated the tennis world during the summer, securing victories at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, which established him as the best player in the world, even though he wasn’t ranked No. 1 on the ATP Tour. That spot belonged to Jannik Sinner, who briefly overtook Alcaraz after his strong performance at the US Open.

Despite his earlier success, Alcaraz experienced a significant slump following the Olympics, culminating in a shocking defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp at the US Open. This loss marked a particularly tough time for Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion, as he struggled to find his form and motivation. His victory at the China Open, where he defeated Sinner in the final, marked a return to form and a moment of redemption.

Speaking with the media after his win, Alcaraz reflected on the emotional and mental struggles he faced during this difficult period. He admitted that after the American swing, which included his US Open loss, he lost his desire to even pick up a racket. “Probably after the American swing, I was a little bit down, that I didn’t want to touch a racket for a while. I didn’t want to travel, let’s say. After that, we talked a lot during those days, knowing that I had to get back to practice, be stronger physically, and be stronger mentally just to overcome those problems,” Alcaraz shared.

His coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, was visibly emotional after the final, and Alcaraz was asked about Ferrero’s reaction during the post-match interview. Although he hadn’t seen his coach crying, Alcaraz understood why it was such an emotional victory for the entire team. The pressure of back-to-back disappointments at the Olympics and US Open weighed heavily on both the player and his support team, making the China Open triumph even more significant.

“Well, I didn’t see him crying. That’s a good thing to know, I guess. But yeah, I mean, it was a really special win for me, lifting this trophy in front of my team, part of my family. It was a great moment for me. I guess he got emotional at the end because we all know what we went through the last month or the last two months,” Alcaraz said.

Alcaraz spoke candidly about the difficult moments he endured both on and off the court, acknowledging that it was his team and family who helped him regain his passion for the sport. “It was a really difficult moment on the court, off the court. As I said in the speech, thanks to them I started to get the joy back playing the matches, practicing, I got motivated again. I really wanted to travel, to play tournaments again,” he admitted.

His resurgence wasn’t accidental, as Alcaraz had been working tirelessly in the weeks leading up to the China Open. Tennis is an unforgiving sport with a relentless schedule, but through hard work and determination, Alcaraz was able to return to form. His victory in Beijing, an ATP 500 event, was proof of his dedication and the fruits of his labor.

“The last month we’ve been working really, really hard on the court, off the court, just to be able to feel this moment again. I’m going to say that’s why he got emotional. For me, it was special. For the people that are around me, it’s a special moment. I’m going to say that’s why,” Alcaraz concluded.

In winning the 2024 China Open, Alcaraz not only lifted another trophy but also reaffirmed his status as one of the top players in the world. After a challenging summer, this victory was a testament to his resilience and the unwavering support of his team.