The 21-year-old tennis sensation, Carlos Alcaraz, has been facing a shocking early exit from the US Open after going down to unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets of 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. Indeed, an upset of massive proportions happened at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday while the former champion, who has recently won the Roland Garros and Wimbledon, definitely struggled with his game throughout the match.
Van de Zandschulp, significantly worse ranked than the Spanish star, converted a series of uncharacteristic errors from Alcaraz, who was on a 15-match winning streak at Grand Slams. At least since winning the US Open two years ago, Alcaraz was the player who made the quarterfinals in every major, and he just couldn’t find his rhythm.
Reflecting on his performance, Alcaraz said: “I think my level stayed at the same point all the match, and it wasn’t enough to win or give myself a chance. I made a lot of mistakes, and when I wanted to come back, it was too late.”
That defeat came on the back of a disappointing run-up to his US Open campaign, where Alcaraz was knocked out in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters by Gael Monfils. Though the Spaniard felt he needed to replenish a silver medal around his neck from the Paris Olympics, which some felt had controversially seen him arrive at Flushing Meadows.
“I don’t want to make excuses, but I have to learn from this. Maybe I need more rest before big tournaments,” rued Alcaraz after his early departure from the US Open.
