Carlos Alcaraz: ‘It’s impossible to find good in this game’ | ATP Tour

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Alcaraz: ‘It’s impossible to get good in this game’

The 21-year-old is candid about losing early

August 16, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz has no shortage of memorable awards this season, from winning two majors, the ATP Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells and a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. But the Spaniard doesn’t want to recall any kind of second-round loss to Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Open.

“It’s really hard to find good things in this game. So I want to forget it, and try to move on to New York,” said Alcaraz in a press conference after the game. “I will go to New York and I will try to practice well, to get used to those courts. And I will forget this game, because I think I won’t be able to get good things from this game.”

The 21-year-old, who was competing in his first tournament on the hard court since Miami in March, held a point last year in Cincinnati before Novak Djokovic roared back to claim the title in what is considered one of the biggest ATP Masters 1000 events. the final.

Playing his first match in Cincinnati since the nearly four-hour mark, hoping to go one step further than last year’s finish, Alcaraz was stunned by Monfils, 37, 4-6, 7-6(5). ), 6-4. The 15-time tourism ranking list speaks volumes for his quality assessment.

“I felt like it was the worst game I’ve ever played in my career,” Alcaraz said. “[I] could not play. In fact, I have been training really well here for this tournament. Days ago, I was feeling great, hitting the ball clear, moving well. I don’t know what happened. I don’t know how I felt this way, but I couldn’t help myself. I couldn’t be better. So this game, it was impossible to win. “

Alcaraz was uncharacteristically frustrated when Monfils consolidated his break lead before the deciding set. The second seed smashed his racquet on the hard court four times, breaking it in multiple places.

“Sometimes I felt like I wanted to break away from the race. It never happened before, because I could control myself in those situations, in those emotions,” said Alcaraz. “Most of the time I could control myself and it would be better in matches or in the situation I felt before. .

“Today, I couldn’t help myself, because, as I said, I felt that I wasn’t playing any kind of tennis. I think some players, a lot of players, during their performances and at certain times, can’t help themselves. And it was one of those moments for me.”

Alcaraz and Monfils started their match on Thursday evening, but were forced off the court due to rain with the World No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings leading 6-3, 6-6(1/3). Following a short break in the second half when play resumed on Friday, Alcaraz was hoping for a better performance.

“Just me [tried] not thinking about the game last night. I want to recover as much as I can, rest well and be ready for today’s game,” Alcaraz said. “Yesterday, I didn’t play well either. I think yesterday was a long five-ball rally. So I couldn’t get the feeling yesterday. So I just thought, ‘Well, just relax, and tomorrow will be another day. I’ll probably feel better.’ But it didn’t happen.”