Match Response
Alcaraz on US Open shocker: ‘It was a combat in opposition to myself’
Spaniard displays on gorgeous defeat
August 30, 2024
Matthew Stockman/Getty Photographs
Carlos Alcaraz waves to the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd after shedding 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 surprised 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 combat in opposition to myself, in my thoughts, in the course of the match,” Alcaraz stated. “In tennis you might be taking part in in opposition to somebody that wishes the identical as you, to win the match, and you must be as calm as you may 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 manage in opposition to 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 obtained down. It was a curler coaster, for instance, in my thoughts,” Alcaraz stated. “So I can not be like that if I need to take into consideration huge issues, so I’ve to enhance it. I’ve to study it.”
STATEMENT MADE
@Boticvdz stuns Alcaraz to advance within the Huge Apple
@usopen | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/p17tGKtg0s
— ATP Tour (@atptour) August 30, 2024
Alcaraz admitted to not feeling properly putting the ball. When he pushed to return 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. Initially, I believe he performed nice. He performed actually good tennis,” Alcaraz stated. “I assumed he was going to provide me extra factors. I will say extra free factors. He did not make a number of errors that I assumed he was going to do. So I used to be confused a little bit bit. I did not know easy methods to handle that, easy methods to take care of it. I could not improve my degree.
“I believe my degree stayed on the identical level all of the match, and it wasn’t sufficient to win the match or to provide myself the prospect to get into the match or attempt to give myself probabilities. 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 number of matches these days with Roland Garros, with Wimbledon, Olympic Video games,” Alcaraz stated. “I took a little bit 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 return. However, I imply, I do not need to put that as excuse.”
