Just In: Carlos Alcaraz ‘happy’ after US Open exit and admits ‘this is what I needed’
Carlos Alcaraz insisted that he wasn’t disappointed after being knocked out of the US Open by home favourite Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals. The young Spaniard had his sights firmly set on back-to-back titles in New York but found himself unable to get past Shelton in an instant classic. He ended up on the wrong side of a fifth-set tiebreak as he fell to a dramatic 6-7 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6 defeat in four hours and 28 minutes.
Alcaraz, who made his long-awaited return at the US Open after spending several months out with a wrist injury, was quick to put things in perspective after stepping off the court. He made it clear that he was pleased with how his tournament went despite the agonising nature of his defeat to Shelton, claiming it was exactly what he needed.
As I said before the tournament began, my expectation was to go there, you know, compete, play in these kind of matches for me being healthy,” said Alcaraz.
“It was close, so I’m just not going to be disappointed about don’t getting the win at the end. You know, I’m just happy. I’m just proud about myself, about how I fought.
“You know, after the third set, physically I was really tired, but you know, I found a way to push myself up and, you know, physically giving extra.
“In the fifth set I just started to feel better and better, but you know, he is a beast. Shelton is an unbelievable player, powerful. He just managed how to play really, really well in every situation, so credit to him.
“But, you know, I leave the court happy. I leave the court with a smile, healthy, and this is what I needed.”
The match didn’t finish until after 3.30am in New York and Alcaraz physically struggled during the latter stages, even vomiting into his towel at one point.
Shelton, meanwhile, reserved some kind words for the seven-time Grand Slam champion, describing him as one of the greatest tennis players in history.
“Carlos is one of the greatest champions in our sport already at 23 years old,” he said. “It’s ridiculous some of the stuff he comes up with sometimes.”
Shelton will face compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the last four on Friday, meaning there is guaranteed to be an American player in the final of this year’s US Open
