Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz has bowed out of the US Open 2024 after a shocking defeat to 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 in the second round. The Spaniard couldn’t keep up with his opponent’s shots and volleys. The Dutchman disrupted Alcaraz’s usual baseline rhythm.
In a pre-match interview, Van de Zandschulp said he was looking forward to playing against Alcaraz, 21. He acknowledged that the youngster varies a lot, but he was game to play him. Fans were left shocked as Alcaraz scuttled around the court to fend off his opponent’s shots. Van de Zandschulp, 28, dominated the game as the former World No. 1 made error after error – 27 in all against 21 winners.
The Dutchman, who is World No. 22 in Singles by the ATP, took advantage of Alcaraz’s errors and vulnerability to break. Van de Zandschulp emerged as the first Dutchman to defeat the top 3 players at the US Open since 1991.
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Carlos Alcaraz Mentally Exhausted
Patrick Mouratoglou, French tennis coach and sports commentator, said Alcaraz is not the top favorite at the 2024 US Open. He believes Novak Djokovic is a step ahead. Mouratoglou, 54, highlighted the Spaniard’s poor performance. He said Alcaraz is mentally exhausted, and Jannik Sinner’s level of play has dropped as he is struggling with a hip issue.
John McEnroe, former American tennis player, lauded Alcaraz saying the youngster can do everything so well. But he said it’s almost impossible for him to be positive and win every week. McEnroe attributed Alcaraz’s defeat to back-to-back tournaments – the French Open then the Paris Olympics, Cincinnati and now the US Open. He believes the Spaniard needs a break like Novak did by withdrawing from Montreal and Cincinnati.
McEnroe said it would have been better for Alcaraz if he hadn’t played US Open 2024 at all.
