Can you believe this? Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp stunned the world number 3, Carlos Alcaraz in the R64 of the 2024 US Open. He beat the Spaniard quite comprehensively with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 scoreline. With the form Alcaraz was in heading into the tournament, he was clearly one of the favorites to win the last major of the 2024 season. Fans are utterly disappointed with this result! What did Alcaraz say after the match?

Well, he said nothing initially but just left the court silently by apologizing to the fans with folded hands. This is truly one of the biggest upsets so far in this tournament and fans now hope he comes back stronger next time!

Disappointment was clearly portrayed on his face as he walked out of the court. Alcaraz won the title in 2022 and last year he reached the SF. He had a 16-2 record at the US Open. This was his earliest exit at any tournament since the 2021 Wimbledon Championships. Not only that, but Carlos Alcaraz has now also become the first top-three men’s seed to lose within the first two rounds of the US Open since 2006.

Alcaraz is fond of breaking records, but he would’ve been much happier to stay away from these stats! So, clearly, his silent exit apologizing to the fans for his poor fans is a bit justified now. However, a few minutes later at the post-match press conference he did say a few words about this disappointing loss. Let’s find out his reaction to this defeat.

What might be the exact reasons behind Carlos Alcaraz’s disappointing performance?

Is the tightly-packed schedule a reason for this disappointing result or is it something else? Well, let’s hear it from the horse’s mouth! The 21-year-old Spaniard was extremely self-critical after this defeat. He feels instead of taking steps forward, he has taken steps backward in terms of his mentality.

“I don’t know what to say right now. I didn’t know how to manage or deal with it. I couldn’t increase my level. I think my level stayed the same the whole match. It wasn’t enough to do it or to give myself the chance to get into the match or try to give myself chances,” he added. Carlos Alcaraz felt he didn’t hit the ball well enough today and committed quite a few mistakes in this match.

However, he didn’t restrict himself from giving a pat on the back of his opponent. Alcaraz said Zandschulp played “really good tennis“. He admitted he felt a bit confused when his opponent gave him more free points during the match and couldn’t figure out how to manage or deal with it.

These were some of the major problems behind the loss. However, he also cited the tightly packed schedules may be one of the reasons he didn’t feel that same amount of energy while heading into this event. “I have to get to know myself more, which is what I need. Maybe I am the type of person who demands more than necessary from myself,” said Alcaraz. What are your thoughts on the possible reasons behind his disappointing performance?