Carlos Alcaraz is setting his sights on a fresh beginning as he gears up for the upcoming US Open 2024, following a challenging end to his summer campaign. Alcaraz had an impressive run this season, securing victories at both the French Open and Wimbledon and earning a silver medal at the Olympics.
However, his momentum came to a sudden halt with a surprising second-round loss to Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Open. Describing the match as the most disappointing of his career, Alcaraz struggled with his emotions, resulting in multiple instances of racket-smashing, which left him visibly frustrated with his performance.
Reflecting on the match, Alcaraz admitted, “I just couldn’t play. Honestly, my practice sessions had been going really well,” he said. “In the days leading up to the match, I felt great, hitting the ball cleanly and moving smoothly. I still don’t understand what went wrong. I was unable to control my emotions.”
This unexpected loss marked his first hard-court match since March, highlighting the difficulties of transitioning from his successful performances on clay and grass earlier in the summer. Despite his strong practice sessions, Alcaraz could not translate that form onto the court, resulting in a performance he found difficult to draw positives from. Determined to move forward, Alcaraz is focused on quickly putting the setback behind him and preparing for the challenges ahead.
“It’s tough to find anything positive about this match. My priority now is to forget it and move on. I’m heading to New York with the goal of practicing well and getting comfortable on those courts.”
Flushing Meadows holds a special place in Alcaraz’s heart, as it was where he achieved his first major breakthrough in 2022, winning his first grand slam title as a teenager. With four grand slam titles under his belt, Alcaraz remains a strong contender despite this recent dip in form.
However, the road ahead won’t be easy, as Alcaraz will face fierce competition from several top players, including Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner. Djokovic, who defeated Alcaraz to win gold at the Paris Olympics, has returned to top form after a rocky start to the season. Meanwhile, Sinner, who claimed the Cincinnati title, has proven his strength on hard courts. Other formidable opponents include Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, both of whom are known for their prowess on this surface.
Despite the obstacles, Alcaraz remains determined to end the season on a high note and is aiming to reclaim the world number one ranking by year’s end. His focus is on playing exceptional tennis and consistently delivering strong performances in the remaining tournaments.
“My goal is to approach each tournament with the mindset of playing my best tennis and achieving solid results to improve my position in the rankings,” Alcaraz said. “Ending the year as the world number one is a top priority for me.”
