Alcaraz Reflects on Cincinnati Loss: Admits Frustration in Post-Match Conference
Carlos Alcaraz, the young Spanish tennis sensation, expressed deep frustration following his surprising loss to veteran Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Masters, an important tune-up for the upcoming US Open. The 20-year-old star admitted in his post-match press conference that he struggled to maintain his composure during the match, leading to an outburst that saw him smash his racquet on the court multiple times.
Alcaraz, who had been favored to progress in the tournament, found himself unable to keep pace with the 37-year-old Monfils. The Spaniard’s frustrations boiled over in the third set after he fell behind 3-1. Reflecting on the incident, Alcaraz shared:
“I felt sometimes that I wanted to break the racquet. It never happened before because I could control myself in those situations. Most of the time, I can manage my emotions better, and it helps my game. But this time, I couldn’t control myself.”
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The young star confessed that his emotions got the better of him as he felt his performance was far below his usual standard.
“I was really frustrated because I felt like I wasn’t playing any kind of tennis,” he said. “At some point, I just wanted to leave the court. It was a really hurtful moment for me.”
Alcaraz also pointed to the playing conditions on Centre Court as a contributing factor to his struggles. He described the court surface as challenging, with the ball bouncing much higher and faster than on other courts at the venue. “It was really tough for me,” he admitted.
“It felt like I was playing a different sport on Centre Court compared to the other courts. I had been practicing well, but during the match, I just couldn’t find my rhythm.”
Despite the disappointing loss, Alcaraz remains focused on the future, with the US Open set to begin on August 26 in New York. As he continues to develop his game and handle the pressures of professional tennis, this experience may serve as a valuable lesson in managing emotions and adapting to different playing conditions.
