Carlos Alcaraz has revealed he feels like he's 'not well mentally' after his shock defeat to Botic Van de Zandschulp at the US Open on Friday morning.
The Wimbledon and French Open champion went into the showdown widely expected to blow his opponent away and advance to the third round of the competition.
But Alcaraz, who won the tournament in 2022, was stunned by Van de Zandschulp - with the Dutchman winning 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 to go through.
Speaking after his defeat, Alcaraz was in a dejected mood.
Carlos Alcaraz has revealed he feels like he's 'not well mentally' after his shock defeat to Botic Van de Zandschulp at the US Open on Friday morning
REUTERS
The Spaniard admitted to struggling with his mind during the clash, while also revealing he feels 'not well mentally' after his hopes of winning another Grand Slam went up in smoke.
"The truth is that what I feel right now is that instead of taking steps forward, I’ve taken steps back in terms of my head and I don't understand why," he said.
"Because I came from a spectacular summer, from Roland Garros, from Wimbledon, coming out of there saying that mentally I had taken a step forward, like I had realised that to win big things or Grand Slams you had to be mentally tough. I come to this tour and it’s like I’ve taken steps back.
"It’s like I’m not well mentally. I’m not well, I’m not strong.
"Among the problems I have is that I don’t know how to control myself, I don’t know how to manage it and that’s a problem for me, really."
Alcaraz has had a busy summer.
He won the French Open in June before proceeding to thrash Novak Djokovic in the final of Wimbledon the following month.
Alcaraz also took part in the Paris Olympics, with the 21-year-old settling for silver after being beaten by Djokovic in France.
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The tennis star feels his busy schedule has taken a toll, adding: "I have to see what exactly happened or what exactly is happening to me.
"The truth is that it has been a very emotional summer, very demanding as I said. The tennis calendar is very tight, things are super tight.
"I have had my moments of disconnection. But well, I think that I am still getting to know myself and maybe as a person I need more time.
"I have to get to know myself."
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Carlos Alcaraz congratulated Botic Van de Zandschulp after being dumped out of the US Open on Friday morning
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Alcaraz did, however, show a touch of class by congratulating Van de Zandschulp on his win.
"I don’t know what to say right now," he said.
"First of all, I think he played great. He played really good tennis. 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.
Carlos Alcaraz feels a busy summer has taken a toll on him after his defeat at the US Open
REUTERS
"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?”
