Carlos Alcaraz Shares Positive Outlook Despite Heartbreaking US Open Exit: “I’m Leaving The Court Happy”

Carlos Alcaraz displayed a deeply positive perspective following his departure from the tournament. His primary goal coming into the event was simply to compete, play high-level matches, and remain healthy throughout. Having come very close to those objectives, he firmly stated that he would not dwell on disappointment. Instead, he expressed genuine happiness and pride in his fighting spirit on the court.

Leaving the court with a smile and a healthy body was precisely what the young Spaniard needed after months away. He acknowledged that losing such intense matches is always difficult, but emphasized the importance of viewing the result with proper perspective.

Every single day of hard training is undertaken specifically to experience those high-stakes athletic emotions. Reaching such a competitive level meant a great deal to him after a long period of recovery. Alcaraz said in his post-match press conference:

As I said before the tournament started, my goal was to compete, play these kinds of matches, and, above all, do it while being healthy. I came very close. So I’m not going to be disappointed for not having won in the end. I’m happy and proud of myself, of how I fought throughout the match. I’m leaving the court happy.

The defending champion admitted that he deeply missed searching for tactical solutions during matches, suffering through tough moments, and enjoying the crowd’s energy. He noted that it felt like a magical night where both players performed at an exceptional standard. Heading home with a positive mindset, he planned to rest properly and resume rigorous training. He intends to compete fiercely for the remainder of the year because several important tournaments remain on the calendar.

Reflecting on his time out due to a right wrist injury that kept him sidelined since April, his physical recovery was put to a severe test. He even vomited into his towel during a changeover ahead of the grueling final set. Despite the intense physical strain and brutal conditions in New York, he kept pushing forward. His resilience proved that his competitive drive remains intact as he returns to the tour.

Ben Shelton’s historic US Open upset

Eighth-seeded American Ben Shelton produced a stunning performance to defeat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Shelton triumphed over the World No. 2 in a four-hour and 28-minute five-set thriller with a scoreline of 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6. The grueling encounter ended at 3:33 a.m. local time, marking the latest match finish in US Open history. This monumental victory also brought an abrupt end to Alcaraz’s impressive 18-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments.

After dropping a tight opening set in a tiebreak, Shelton completely shifted the momentum of the match. The hard-hitting American captured nine consecutive games, bridging the second and third sets, to take a commanding lead. Although Alcaraz struck back forcefully to claim the fourth set 6-1, Shelton regrouped for the decider. The fifth set ultimately forced a tense first-to-ten-point super tiebreak under immense pressure.

Shelton relied heavily on his lethal serving prowess throughout the damp, late-night New York conditions. He fired multiple unreturned serves, finishing the match with a blistering 146 mph ace out wide that Alcaraz could not handle. This marked Shelton’s first career victory over a top-three opponent in four attempts against the Spaniard. It also advanced the 23-year-old left-hander into his third career Grand Slam semifinal.

Thousands of vocal fans stayed inside the stadium until the early morning hours, providing loud home-crowd support. Chants of “USA! USA!” echoed through the lower bowl as Shelton navigated the nerve-wracking closing stages. In his post-match interview, the American credited the energy of the New York crowd and his support box for pushing him across the finish line. The victory stands as the biggest and most dramatic win of his professional career.

All-American Semifinal Showdown with Frances Tiafoe

Ben Shelton will now advance to face fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the US Open semifinals on Friday. Tiafoe earned his own spot in the final four after securing a grueling five-set comeback victory over unseeded compatriot Alex Michelsen. Tiafoe had to recover brilliantly from two sets and a break down before prevailing 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 in a super tiebreak. Both American semifinalists will undoubtedly appreciate having a couple of days off to recover from their exhausting marathons.

The high-stakes matchup guarantees that at least one American man will feature in the final at Flushing Meadows. This milestone keeps alive the United States’ long-standing quest for its first men’s major singles champion since Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003. It marks a rare and historic occasion for American tennis to have multiple players deep in the final rounds of a major. The last time two American men met at this advanced stage of the tournament drew immense national attention.

Looking at their head-to-head record, Shelton and Tiafoe are very familiar with each other on big stages. Shelton holds a 3-1 lead in past encounters against Tiafoe across their professional careers. Notably, two of those previous meetings have taken place right on the hard courts of the US Open. Shelton previously won their 2023 quarterfinal clash, while Tiafoe got his revenge during their 2024 round-of-32 encounter in New York.

Both players possess explosive offenses and thrive under the bright lights of night sessions in New York. Their upcoming semifinal encounter promises high-octane tennis, heavy serves, and intense baseline rallies. Tennis analysts expect an electric atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium as the two compatriots battle for a place in a Grand Slam final. The stage is officially set for another unforgettable chapter of American tennis history.

Also Read: Cleaners Seen Mopping During Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton’s Late-Night US Open Battle