‘Frustrated’ Carlos Alcaraz desperately hopes for vengeance in US Open

Carlos Alcaraz’s win at the Wimbledon 2024 was a special watch for his fans. The 21-year-old not only beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets but did it with a certain aura. To make a match against Djokovic look like a no-competition does not happen in the wildest dreams of other players, but Alcaraz was living that dream. The match on July 24 lasted for a little under 2 and a half hours with the scoreline 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4).

Just when the Alcaraz fans thought that it would be the season for Alcaraz after winning the French Open and the Wimbledon, Alcaraz faltered. The Spaniard, who favours the clay court, lost the Paris Olympics, men’s singles final in straight sets against Novak Djokovic. After failing to go past the quarter-finals in men’s doubles competition alongside Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz’s form wavered. In the singles final, Alcaraz did not look comfortable and managed to lose 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2) at the Philippe-Chatrier on August 4.

ALCARAZ’S OUTBURST

From there on, things spiralled a little bit more for Alacarz. At the Cincinnati Open, the 21-year-old had a rare outburst. Alcaraz smashed his racket into the ground during his match against Gael Monfils while playing in the second round.

Known for his cool, calm and mature demeanour, this was rare from Alcaraz. He finally looked like what he was – a 21-year-old boy after all.

“This was such an anomaly to see Carlos Alcaraz lose his mind like that. Our sweet little baby Carlitos, who is literally the nicest guy. I did a Q&A with all the players at Cincinnati and the question I asked every single guy was, ‘Who’s the happiest and most-liked person in the locker room?’, and every single one of them either said Frances Tiafoe or Carlos Alcaraz,” Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs said in his tennis podcast.

The coach felt that the Paris Olympics men’s singles final loss still bugged Alcaraz and that he had not been quite the same ever since.

“His brain is still broken from losing the gold medal. I think he’s played a lot of tennis and he’s got a lot of pressure on his shoulders now. I think he’s tired now. Anyone who came off of playing at the Olympics and was playing in Cincinnati was just, mentally and physically drained,” Stubbs added.

After his racket-smashing episode, Carlos Alcaraz did the right thing. The ‘good boy’ of the tennis world apologised for his behaviour.

Posting in Spanish on X on Saturday, Alcaraz said his attitude was not correct, and his actions should not have been done on the court. The 21-year-old added that it’s difficult to control yourself when your heart rate is high, and he will work to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Alcaraz was playing his first match since earning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics after losing to Novak Djokovic, who also beat him last year in the Cincinnati final.

“I felt like it was the worst match that I’ve ever played in my career,” Alcaraz said Friday. “I’ve been practising really well. I was feeling great. But I couldn’t play. I want to forget it and try to move on to New York.”

PUSHING PAST LIMITS

Alcaraz will be desperate to get his mojo back in the US Open, where he won his first Grand Slam back in 2022. It is a special court for the Spaniard, where he announced himself in front of the tennis world beating Casper Ruud 6–4, 2–6, 7–6(1), 6–3.

The signs of frustration is probably a good thing for the youngster, who was seen incredible success in the early part of his career. It is a sign of not being content with himself, not being content with his performances – signs that separate greats from GOATs of the sports.

Alcaraz will surely look for vengeance once he steps into the court in the United States of America. The Spaniard plays Li Tu of Australia on August 28. They have never faced each other before and Alcaraz would hope to use this match to get in rhythm.

It is true that the Spaniard is destined for greatness, but it might not come in his well-known ‘good boy’ avatar. One can argue that the angry young man persona is Alcaraz’s next arc in the world of tennis, one that might help him dominate in the next 10 years