Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish tennis prodigy, has drawn significant attention for his recent outburst on the court, an incident that some believe could ultimately benefit him as he prepares for the US Open. After a frustrating three-set loss to Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Open, Alcaraz, known for his composed demeanor, uncharacteristically smashed his racket early in the third set. The incident sparked widespread discussion, particularly given Alcaraz’s reputation for maintaining a “100% perfect” image both on and off the court.
Mats Wilander, a former world No. 1 and seven-time major champion, weighed in on the incident during a conversation with Eurosport. Wilander, who himself triumphed at the Cincinnati Open four times in the 1980s, acknowledged the challenging conditions of the tournament, noting the fast courts and unpredictable wind that likely contributed to Alcaraz’s frustration. Despite his initial disapproval of the racket smash, Wilander expressed a belief that this display of emotion might serve to alleviate some of the immense pressure on Alcaraz, particularly as he prepares to defend his title at the US Open.
Alcaraz’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of meteoric, with victories at both the French Open and Wimbledon this year. However, his journey has not been without setbacks, including a recent loss to Novak Djokovic in the Olympic final. As Alcaraz enters the US Open as one of the favorites, Wilander suggests that this moment of vulnerability could help him by allowing him to shed the burden of perfection that has accompanied his rapid ascent in the tennis world.
The US Open marks a return to the site of one of Alcaraz’s most significant career achievements, where he captured his first Grand Slam singles title two years ago. His path to another championship, however, is expected to be challenging, with potential matchups against formidable opponents like Daniil Medvedev, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic.
As Alcaraz continues to navigate the pressures of being one of the sport’s brightest young stars, his recent outburst might be seen as a step towards a more balanced and authentic approach to the game—one that could ultimately enhance his performance on the grand stage of Flushing Meadows.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2024
WLWLLWLWWW Currently the world no.3, Alcaraz played his last match on the 16th of August when he capitulated to world no.45 Gael Monfils 4-6 7-6(5) 6-4 in the 2nd round in Cincinnati (draw).
This year Alcaraz owns a composed 38-8 match record. The Spaniard conquered 3 titles in 2024 in Indian Wells, French Open and Wimbledon. The Spaniard got to the final in Paris.
Carlos Alcaraz will fight against the world no.346 Gabi Adrian Boitan in the . In the past, they have never competed against each other as of now in top events.
Alcaraz conquered 3 titles in 2024 in Indian Wells, French Open and Wimbledon. Carlos was the runner-up in Paris (Olympics).
Alcaraz won 16 titles in his career: 4 on hard courts, 8 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 3 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Carlos Alcaraz |
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