Carlos Alcaraz on US Open exit: ‘It was a fight against myself’

2022 US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz was stunned by Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the New York Major. Alcaraz admitted he was not mentally strong throughout the match and thus had to pay the price against the Dutchman.

The Spaniard credited his opponent for bringing his best to the court and said there were no free points on offer. Alcaraz added that he learned important lessons and needs to improve in the future.

Zandschulp bested Alcaraz in straight sets by 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 to advance to the third round at the Flushing Meadows.

“It was a fight against myself, in my mind, during the match,” Alcaraz said. “In tennis you are playing against someone that wants the same as you, to win the match, and you have to be as calm as you can just to think better in the match and try to do good things.”

“I was up in some points. Then I lost some points, I got down. It was a roller coaster, let’s say, in my mind,” Alcaraz said. “So I can’t be like that if I want to think about big things, so I have to improve it. I have to learn about it.”

The Spaniard hit just 21 winners compared to 27 unforced errors and didn’t play at the level he normally plays.

“I don’t know what to say right now. First of all, I think he played great. He played really good tennis,” Alcaraz said. “I thought he was going to give me more points. I’m going to say more free points. He didn’t make a lot of mistakes that I thought he was going to do. So I was confused a little bit. I didn’t know how to manage that, how to deal with it. I couldn’t increase my level.

“I think my level stayed at the same point all the match, and it wasn’t enough to win the match or to give myself the chance to get into the match or try to give myself chances. So what can I say?”

Alcaraz said he entered the US Open with less energy due to his hectic schedule but doesn’t want to use that as an excuse.

“I’ve been playing a lot of matches lately with Roland Garros, with Wimbledon, Olympic Games,” Alcaraz said. “I took a little break after the Olympic Games. I thought it was enough. It was really helpful for me. Probably it wasn’t enough.

“But yeah, probably I came here with not as much energy as I thought that I was going to come. But, I mean, I don’t want to put that as excuse.”

Zandschulp will take on Jack Draper in the third round in New York.