‘I Couldn’t Handle It’ – Carlos Alcaraz Says He Broke Down Mentally in Montreal

Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz has had a wonderful 2022 so far. The 19-year-old registered victories against greats like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. His good form has also helped him move up in the rankings. The Spaniard is now placed at number four, just below his compatriot and legend Rafael Nadal.

The 19-year-old has shown great maturity at a very young age. However, in a rare instance, the young lad faltered under the pressure of expectations. Alcaraz played his first match in the Canadian Open, where he lost an intense first-round match.

Carlos Alcaraz fails to handle the pressure

Alcaraz entered the tournament seeded number two. The world number four failed to cope with the pressure of expectations and lost his first-round match. Playing against Tommy Paul of America, he went down 6-7(4), 7-6(7), 6-3. Further, the 19-year-old accepted the same.

“I felt the pressure to be the No. 2 seed in this kind of tournament, No. 4 in the world. It was the first time that I felt that pressure and I couldn’t handle it,” Alcaraz said in his post-match press conference.

Further, the Spaniard accepted that he has to be ready for such situations in the future.

“All I can say from this match is I have to train. I have to be ready to have this pressure, to have these kinds of moments, and to learn how to handle it. That’s all I can say right now.”

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The Spaniard also wrote about it on Twitter.

Carlos Alcaraz is yet to win his first Grand Slam title. He will look forward to the Cincinnati Masters before entering the last Grand Slam of the year.

Alcaraz dreams of becoming world number one

Carlos Alcaraz tasted success very early in his career. He reached the rank of world number four at the mere age of 19. However, the Spaniard has set himself a tougher goal.

The 19-year-old revealed that he aims for the pinnacle of world ranking and is making his short steps towards it.

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Alcaraz is only a year older than compatriot Rafael Nadal while breaking into the top five. Can he become the next big thing in tennis? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.