Alcaraz on US Open shocker: 'It was a fight against myself'

Carlos Alcaraz gave full credit to his opponent, Botic van de Zandschulp, on Thursday evening after the Dutchman stunned the four-time major champion in the second round of the US Open. But the third seed also pointed the finger at himself.

“It was a fight against myself, in my mind, during the match,” Alcaraz said. “In tennis you are playing against someone that wants the same as you, to win the match, and you have to be as calm as you can just to think better in the match and try to do good things.”

The 21-year-old explained there were emotions he was unable to control against van de Zandschulp, who converted six of his nine break points in the match.

“I was up in some points. Then I lost some points, I got down. It was a roller coaster, let's say, in my mind,” Alcaraz said. “So I can't be like that if I want to think about big things, so I have to improve it. I have to learn about it.”

STATEMENT MADE 💪@Boticvdz stuns Alcaraz to advance in the Big Apple 🍎@usopen | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/p17tGKtg0s

Alcaraz admitted to not feeling well striking the ball. When he pushed to come back, it was too late. The Spaniard hit just 21 winners compared to 27 unforced errors.

“I don't know what to say right now. First of all, I think he played great. He played really good tennis,” Alcaraz said. “I thought he was going to give me more points. I'm going to say more free points. He didn't make a lot of mistakes that I thought he was going to do. So I was confused a little bit. I didn't know how to manage that, how to deal with it. I couldn't increase my level.

“I think my level stayed at the same point all the match, and it wasn't enough to win the match or to give myself the chance to get into the match or try to give myself chances. So what can I say?”

The No. 3 player in the PIF ATP Rankings has enjoyed another standout season, winning back-to-back major titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He also claimed the silver medal at the Paris Olympics, but has now lost three of his past four matches.

“I’ve been playing a lot of matches lately with Roland Garros, with Wimbledon, Olympic Games,” Alcaraz said. “I took a little break after the Olympic Games. I thought it was enough. It was really helpful for me. Probably it wasn't enough.

“But yeah, probably I came here with not as much energy as I thought that I was going to come. But, I mean, I don't want to put that as excuse.”

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