Carlos Alcaraz had a US Open to be very proud of, reaching the quarterfinals despite a lengthy absence because of injury.

Playing his first tournament after a four-and-a-half month break because of a wrist issue, Alcaraz immediately hit the ground running in New York. Only eventual runner-up Ben Shelton beat Alcaraz at the US Open, after which the Spanish star claimed he was happy and proud of his efforts.

But those comments have not gone down well with Patrick Mouratoglou, who has expressed his confusion regarding the ATP superstar.

Patrick Mouratoglou confused by ‘happy’ Carlos Alcaraz after US Open exit

Mouratoglou, who used to coach tennis legend Serena Williams, said in a video on his Instagram: “There is a new trend on the ATP and WTA Tour, which is to be gracious in defeat. I’m not completely buying it, and I’m going to explain to you why.

“I was struck by Carlos Alcaraz losing in four hours and a half, 10-7 in a tiebreak of the fifth, and saying, ‘I leave the court happy. I leave the court with a smile’.

“On the women’s side, we had [Jessica] Pegula, [Iga] Swiatek, and [Alex] Eala: ‘I’m happy with the match. Trying to see the positive side. The level was really high’. 100% Champions hate to lose, and that’s why they’re champions. They would fight as much as they can to avoid losing, which is the worst thing on the planet.

“And I’m wondering, in Alcaraz’s case, if it’s a trend or not. It doesn’t make sense to me to play for four hours, lose 10-7 in the tiebreak of the fifth, and say, ‘Oh, I’m happy. That was good’. No, I can’t, sorry, I don’t buy this.

“I think champions and a champion like him, even not being 100% physically, he should think I’m going to still win. I remember Serena with 40 degrees fever at Roland Garros, won the tournament. Not one second she thought “This one is not for me”. So I guess it’s a trend.”

Many fans certainly appreciate players losing with grace, which, of course, isn’t always the case. Typifying the other side of the coin, Aryna Sabalenka drew criticism from fans for smashing her racket in frustration after losing the US Open final to Elena Rybakina.

Carlos Alcaraz is right to be proud of his US Open run

It’s an intriguing perspective from Mouratoglou, who clearly knows what it takes to help produce champions given his spell of over 10 years coaching Williams.

But Alcaraz arguably deserves a certain degree of flexibility in this debate, with the Spaniard right to be proud of his performances in New York.

He didn’t even play a practice tournament ahead of the US Open, leaving him well behind his ATP rivals by the time the first match rolled around.

And even with pressure on his young shoulders, Alcaraz showed very few signs of rust as he passed every test presented to him.

That was until he met home favorite Shelton in the quarterfinals, and notably the loss only arrived via a fifth-set tiebreak.