Just In: Carlos Alcaraz’s Emotional Locker-Room Words After US Open Heartbreak Reveal His Love for Tennis
Carlos Alcaraz’s US Open comeback might have ended in a heartbreaking quarterfinal loss, but the Spaniard had plenty of reasons to smile after his late-night blockbuster against Ben Shelton.
The match finished at 3:30 a.m. ET, yet Alcaraz was seen leaving the stadium with a wide grin on his face.
That image offered a glimpse into Alcaraz’s personality and his genuine love for tennis, regardless of the result. Speaking about the moments after the match, sports author Jon Wertheim told Andy Roddick on the “Served” podcast that Alcaraz’s grin was one of the defining moments of the US Open.
Andy Roddick Explains What Makes Carlos Alcaraz Different
Wertheim told Roddick how tournament director Eric Boutarac and USTA Chief Craig Tiley went looking for Alcaraz in the locker room to check whether he was alright, considering how late the match had finished. When they entered, Alcaraz stood up and said, “Thank you for the stage.”
Wertheim continued, “He has lost the title and he couldn’t be happier. Not because the wrist is healthier. I so enjoyed the purity of that competition. That is the emotion that’s gonna crowd out any disappointment I have with losing.”
Roddick was equally impressed by the Spaniard’s reaction.
“It’s like he skips all the miserable parts of tennis. Carlos is a vibe, man. Great to have him back. All we want is him healthy. All we want is Sinner healthy. It was such a big deal that he was such a storyline in this tournament.”
Alcaraz’s attitude was particularly striking given the circumstances. He had only just returned to Grand Slam action after missing the French Open and Wimbledon with a wrist injury, and his comeback ended with a physically demanding match that stretched deep into the night.
Yet, rather than dwell on the defeat, Alcaraz appeared to embrace the occasion and the quality of the contest. His reaction also reinforced why his return was one of the biggest storylines of the tournament.
Carlos Alcaraz Set for Laver Cup Return
Alcaraz’s US Open campaign may have ended in the quarterfinals, but his return offered plenty of encouragement ahead of the final stretch of the season.
The Spaniard will next compete at the Laver Cup, which takes place at the O2 Arena in London from September 25-27. He will represent Team Europe and could face Shelton again if the American is selected for Team World.
