Carlos Alcaraz He has never left New York so early, where he finished fourth on his debut in 2021. He was the sensation in 2022, when at the age of 19 he became the youngest ATP world number one in history by becoming champion of the US Open, where he reached the semis last season. In his fourth participation, a pitcher of cold water, losing in the second round against the Dutchman Botic Van from Zandschulp by 6-1, 7-5 and 6-4.
The Murcian, 21 years old, is very critical of himself, because he sees him as “a step behind” compared to what he built at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, where he recently became champion. “The truth is, how I feel now, instead of taking steps forward I take steps back in my head. And I don’t understand why,” he lamented.
“I came from a wonderful summer, Roland Garrosof Wimbledonleaving there saying that mentally there is a step forward, that I realized that to win good things you have to be mentally tough. I came to this tour and it’s like I took steps back: I don’t feel good, I’m not strong, when faced with problems I don’t know how to control myself, I don’t know how to manage them. And that for me, the truth is, is a problem,” he commented strongly.
It signaled that he broke a racket in the Cincinnati tournament, with four sharp hits on the ground. With so much frustration, the head didn’t help either. US Open. He doesn’t believe in going back. “It was a battle against myself in my mind the whole match. In tennis you play against someone who wants the same thing as you. To win. You have to be as calm as possible to think better about the match and try to do Good things. Today I played against the opponent and against myself mentally can’t if I want to think about important things, I have to learn about it,” he insisted on the matter of mind .
He falls into a more difficult period because of the Paris Olympic Games. “I’ve been playing a lot lately. With Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the Olympic Games. I took a little break after the Olympics. I thought it was enough, but it wasn’t. I came here not as strong as I thought I would be, but I didn’t want to use the calendar as an excuse. Whether I’m a player who needs more or less rest days before big tournaments is something I have to think about. Learn from it all.”
He also defined the characteristics of Van de Zandschulp, that “he played very well. I thought he would give me more free points, but he didn’t make the mistakes I thought he would make. I don’t know how to manage it, deal with everything. I’m not able to raise the level.”
Carlos Alcaraz He mentally blocked himself. He feels in control of emotions and situations, but lacks the spark and ability to react. He didn’t see the way. “I’m not mentally strong yet.”
Source: La Verdad
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