Just In: Carlos Alcaraz’s trainer hits out at US Open bosses and sends message to Ben Shelton
Carlos Alcaraz‘s fitness trainer Alberto Lledo has criticised US Open chiefs over the scheduling of the Spaniard’s match against Ben Shelton. Alcaraz was beaten in a five-set thriller that lasted four hours and 28 minutes, ending his hopes of winning back-to-back US Open titles. The contest was an instant classic and went on until after 3.30am local time, marking the latest finish in the history of the tournament.
The thrilling nature of the final-set tiebreak will live long in the memory of tennis fans around the world, especially those lucky enough to have watched it live. Lledo, however, was less than impressed. He took to Instagram to question why a five-setter was allowed to start at 11pm local time, claiming that such late schedules are unhealthy for players.
Lledo wrote: “Sometimes is when I know (humbly state) that performance is not health. We have to adapt to any circumstance and the one who does it before has a competitive advantage.
“But starting a five-set tennis match at 11pm is not healthy for an athlete’s health.”
He finished his rant with a classy message for Shelton, adding: “Good luck for the rest of the tournament,” and tagging the American’s account.
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova was also unimpressed with the scheduling of the match, arguing that no other sport would force athletes to play until the early hours.
On X (formerly Twitter), she wrote: “Something has got to give. This is not OK and it is not normal… no other sport might start at 11am or 11pm. In the same event.”
Alcaraz, meanwhile, made no mention of the late start time after losing to Shelton, instead congratulating his American opponent on his victory.
“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,” said the Spaniard.
“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.”
