Patrick Mouratoglou Explains Why Carlos Alcaraz Saying He Was ‘Happy’ After US Open Exit ‘Doesn’t Make Sense’

Carlos Alcaraz had no high expectations when he arrived at Flushing Meadows as the defending champion. Still, he played a high level of tennis, dropping just one set en route to his quarterfinal defeat.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion lost a five-set marathon to Ben Shelton that lasted four hours and 28 minutes, ending at 3:33 am. Alcaraz was all smiles as he waved goodbye to the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Later, he told reporters that he was satisfied with his performance, that he was “happy and proud” of the tennis he produced after his four-month injury layoff. While many lauded the 23-year-old’s positive outlook, Patrick Mouratoglou struggles to understand why a player like Alcaraz was happy after a defeat in a Grand Slam tournament.

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 and a half hours, 10-7 in a tiebreak of the fifth, and saying, ‘I leave the court happy. I leave the court with a smile’.

Patrick Mouratoglou said on his Instagram

Alcaraz injured his wrist during the Barcelona Open in April and didn’t compete in any events before returning at the US Open, where he lifted his first Grand Slam title in 2022 and beat defending champion Jannik Sinner in the final last year.

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.

Patrick Mouratoglou added

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Alcaraz will next be competing at the Laver Cup next week. So far this season, the World No.3 has taken home two titles from three finals (won in Melbourne and Doha, and lost in Monte Carlo).

Rafael Nadal says Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are doing well on the tour despite their injury issues

Both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz suffered physical setbacks this season. Many thought they would finally see Sinner and Alcaraz’s names in the same draw since the Monte-Carlo Masters, but the Italian ace withdrew from the US Open with a wrist injury. Rafael Nadal, however, is not at all concerned, saying it’s normal for players like Alcaraz and Sinner to deal with injuries and stay on the sidelines.

I think it’s normal, due to the fact that professional athletes have such a high physical demand. After two or three years of such a high level of physical exertion, injuries can happen; they must be anticipated. We’ll see how they both develop, but it seems to me that they’re doing very well.

Rafael Nadal said on Sky Sports Italy at the Spanish Grand Prix

In their absence and defeats at the French Open and the US Open, Alexander Zverev reached the final and won the title. He beat Flavio Cobolli in Paris and Ben Shelton in New York.

Sascha is now 1,810 points behind World No. 1 Sinner, which means he has a golden opportunity to end the season ranked No. 1. Sinner reclaimed his No. 1 ranking from Alcaraz after defeating him in Monte Carlo earlier this year.

Also read: Jessica Pegula Lauds Aryna Sabalenka for Playing ‘Insane’ Tennis After Getting ‘Mad’