Carlos Alcaraz issued an apology on Saturday following an outburst during his match against Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Open. The apology came after Alcaraz was seen smashing his racket in frustration during the third set of their Round of 32 clash on Friday.
In the heated moment, after losing the fourth game of the third set and being tied one set apiece with Monfils, Alcaraz unleashed his frustration by slamming his racket into the ground multiple times. The repeated impact caused the racket to twist and lose its original shape, a display of frustration that quickly drew attention from fans and media alike.
Alcaraz took to social media to address the incident, expressing regret over his actions. On X (formerly known as Twitter), Alcaraz wrote, “I apologize because my attitude yesterday was not correct and it is something that should not be done on the track. I am human, I had a lot of nerves inside and sometimes it is very difficult to control yourself when your heart rate is so high. I will work so that it does not happen again. Time to think about NYC!”
The 21-year-old Spaniard had just suffered a 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 defeat to Monfils, which he described as “the worst match that I’ve ever played.” Despite having earned a bye into the Round of 32, Alcaraz’s performance fell short of expectations, particularly after a year filled with significant achievements.
Alcaraz’s frustration was palpable in his post-match comments. “I’ve been practicing really well,” he said. “I was feeling great. But I couldn’t play. I want to forget it and try to move on to New York.” With the U.S. Open starting on August 26, Alcaraz is eager to shift focus and make amends for his recent loss.
The year has otherwise been notable for Alcaraz, who has demonstrated impressive form on the court. After an early exit at the Australian Open, where he lost to Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals, Alcaraz bounced back with a series of remarkable victories. He clinched the French Open title by overcoming Zverev in a grueling five-set match and followed that triumph with a Wimbledon victory over Novak Djokovic, affirming his place as one of the sport’s top competitors.
However, Alcaraz’s campaign at the 2024 Olympics ended with a silver medal after Djokovic defeated him in straight sets during the gold medal match. Despite this setback, Alcaraz’s performance throughout the year has solidified his status as a leading player on the tour.
As he prepares for the U.S. Open, where he will once again be one of the top seeds, Alcaraz’s recent struggles in Cincinnati are unlikely to overshadow his strong overall season. Last year, he showcased his prowess by reaching the semifinals, where he fell to Daniil Medvedev after losing just one set in the first five rounds of the tournament.
With the draw for the U.S. Open still pending, Alcaraz’s focus will shift to regrouping and making a strong push in New York. The young Spaniard’s apology and determination to move past his Cincinnati disappointment reflect his commitment to both personal growth and professional success.
