In a stunning upset, World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz crashed out of the 2024 US Open in the second round, falling to Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. This defeat marked Alcaraz’s earliest exit at a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2021 and left fans and analysts puzzled by his underwhelming performance. Known for his resilience and energy on the court, Alcaraz appeared subdued and unfocused, committing numerous uncharacteristic errors. His coaching team’s reaction—or lack thereof—also drew significant attention and criticism from fans, further fueling conversations around his unexpected defeat.
Alcaraz’s journey to this match highlighted his rising stardom. The 21-year-old has experienced a meteoric rise under the guidance of coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, a former World No. 1 who has mentored Alcaraz since 2018. Ferrero’s influence has been instrumental in shaping Alcaraz’s career, leading him to milestones such as breaking into the Top 100 in 2021 and becoming the first teenager since Andy Murray to enter the Top 10 in 2007. Under Ferrero’s tutelage, Alcaraz claimed three Grand Slam titles—the US Open in 2022, Wimbledon in 2023, and Roland Garros that same year. His impressive journey has made him a favorite in every tournament, with fans and pundits alike expecting another strong run at the US Open.
The match, however, told a different story. Van de Zandschulp, ranked considerably lower, managed to dominate Alcaraz in just over two hours, seizing critical breaks in each set. Alcaraz struggled right from the start, with the Dutchman breaking his serve twice in the opening set. The Spaniard managed to hold his serve in the second set but conceded two breaks, placing him at a two-set disadvantage. In the third set, despite briefly breaking back, Alcaraz was unable to mount a comeback as van de Zandschulp capitalized on a series of errors, eventually clinching the match.
Before their encounter at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Alcaraz had met van de Zandschulp twice before, winning both matches comfortably. In their 2021 Australian Open match, Alcaraz defeated the Dutchman 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, and then claimed another straight-sets victory at Basel in 2022. Yet, despite this favorable head-to-head record, Alcaraz seemed out of sorts from the beginning of this clash. The loss also broke his remarkable 15-match unbeaten streak at Grand Slam tournaments, leaving a noticeable dent in his otherwise stellar US Open record of 16-2.
Alcaraz’s struggles in this match extended beyond technical lapses to include a visible dip in energy and focus. Normally celebrated for his positive attitude and energetic play, he seemed detached, a change that did not go unnoticed by his supporters. Fans pointed out the unusual demeanor of his coaching team, led by Ferrero, who was uncharacteristically quiet. Social media erupted with fans commenting on the team’s lack of visible support during the match, with one user noting, “His [Alcaraz’s] box looks like they’re at a funeral.” Many began questioning whether the team dynamics were off, or if burnout had taken a toll on both the player and his support staff.
Alcaraz’s agent, Albert Molina, who has been with him since he was just 13 years old, was also present. Known for his close relationship with Alcaraz, Molina’s reaction—or lack thereof—added to the sense of unease among fans. Normally a vocal supporter, Ferrero maintained an unusual silence following the match, adding to fans’ speculations about internal team dynamics and Alcaraz’s state of mind.
Tennis commentator Jose Morgado also chimed in, highlighting Alcaraz’s poor body language, which he described as “almost as bad as his tennis today.” Alcaraz’s reaction after one of his few winning moments—a rare smile as he walked to his seat—stood in contrast to his team’s solemn demeanor, further illustrating the disconnect between the typically vibrant player and his subdued support system.
In the post-match conference, Alcaraz shed some light on his mindset, hinting that the tight scheduling this season might have contributed to his lackluster performance. Reflecting on his demanding year, which included an Olympic silver medal, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and numerous other tournaments, Alcaraz admitted that he may have underestimated the toll it had taken. “Probably, yeah. The tennis schedule is so tight. I’ve been playing a lot of matches lately,” he said. “With Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the Olympics, I thought a short break would be enough, but maybe it wasn’t.” Although he was careful to avoid using fatigue as an excuse, Alcaraz acknowledged that he would need to consider making adjustments to his schedule to stay competitive at major tournaments.
Fans voiced their agreement, with some suggesting that his team should have advised him to skip smaller tournaments and rest more before the US Open. “It honestly just seems very much to be burnout,” one fan commented. “His team should’ve told him to skip Cincinnati and rest.”
For van de Zandschulp, the victory was a career highlight. The Dutchman, who had never before played in a night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium, was visibly elated and admitted he was at a loss for words. “It was an incredible evening out here. I tried to stay calm, which you have to do against these top players, or they’ll take advantage,” he said.
Statistically, Alcaraz’s performance numbers reflected his struggles. He won just 60% of his first-serve points and 54% of his second-serve points, with only two out of five break-point conversions. These statistics underscored how far off his game he was and led fans to comment harshly on his performance. “Everyone has been bad. His box, his team, and him. Terrible,” one fan summarized, while others speculated that Ferrero’s quiet demeanor indicated deeper issues.
As the dust settles on Alcaraz’s unexpected early exit, questions linger about whether changes to his schedule or team dynamics might be necessary. For a player as young and talented as Alcaraz, one off day may not signal a crisis, but the reactions and criticisms underscore the high expectations surrounding him. Moving forward, his challenge will be not only to adjust his game but to manage the pressures that come with being one of the brightest stars in tennis today.