Carlos Alcaraz’s Physical Trainer Calls Out US Open Over Late-Night Start After Shock Defeat to Ben Shelton: “Not Healthy at All”

Carlos Alcaraz‘s Grand Slam campaign for this season ended when he suffered a shock five-set defeat to Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals of the US Open. The Spaniard, who competed in his first tournament since recovering from the wrist injury he suffered during the Barcelona Open in mid-April, lost to the American ace for the first time in his career after three consecutive wins.

The match started after 11 pm in New York, and the two 23-year-olds battled it out on Arthur Ashe Stadium for four hours and 28 minutes. Shelton smashed his 146-mph ace at 3:30 am to seal the win. After Alcaraz’s defeat, his physical trainer, Alberto Lledo Quiles, took to Instagram and called out the US Open over the match’s scheduling.

It’s in certain moments that I know (I affirm with humility) that performance is not synonymous with health… We have to adapt to any circumstance, and whoever does it first gains a competitive advantage. But, starting a 5-set tennis match at 11 p.m. is not healthy at all for an athlete.

Alcaraz struggled physically mid-match and vomited into the towel. Instead of utter disappointment, the seven-time Grand Slam champion will leave New York “happy” and “proud” of himself, saying his major goal was just to compete and play tough matches after a four-month injury hiatus.

Alberto Lledo Quiles, preparador físico de Carlos Alcaraz, postou uma reflexão importante sobre a partida de ontem:

"É em algumas ocasiões que sei (afirmo com humildade) que o rendimento não é sinônimo de saúde…
Temos que nos adaptar a qualquer circunstância, e quem o faz… pic.twitter.com/XPaTy1b3D1

— Carlos Alcaraz Brasil (@carlosalcarazbr) September 9, 2026

Shelton will be facing compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the semifinal, and this means one thing: for the second time since Andy Roddick‘s win at the 2003 US Open, an American man will reach a Grand Slam final.

Taylor Fritz had made the title clash of the 2024 US Open, but he failed to defeat now five-time Grand Slam champion Jannik Sinner, also last year’s runner-up. Due to Sinner’s withdrawal, Novak Djokovic‘s shock opening-round exit, and Alcaraz’s defeat, a player who has never lifted the title at Flushing Meadows will take home this trophy. Both Shelton and Tiafoe are now three-time Grand Slam semifinalists.

Ben Shelton reacts after defeating Carlos Alcaraz

En route to the quarterfinals, Carlos Alcaraz had dropped just one set, against Jaime Faria, in the second round. Alcaraz was chasing his third title of the season, after winning the Australian Open by beating Novak Djokovic and the Qatar Open by beating Arthur Fils earlier this year.

It was Ben Shelton’s first top-3 win of his career. The only time he won a match in straight sets in this tournament was against two-time Grand Slam runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fourth round.

I’m tired. It was a war. Carlos is one of the greatest champions of our sport, already at 23 years old. It’s always fun being on the court against him. It’s ridiculous amount of stuff he comes up with sometimes, but yeah, the most enjoyable match that I’ve had in my career for sure.

Ben Shelton told reporters after defeating Carlos Alcaraz

Before this tournament, Shelton reached the semifinals of a Major only at the 2025 Australian Open and the 2023 US Open. Also, prior to his home Major, the only time he reached the quarterfinals at this level this season was at the Australian Open.

Shelton suffered a second-round exit at the French Open and an opening-round exit at Wimbledon. Alcaraz missed both events due to his injury.

Shelton is chasing his fifth title of the season. He first won the Dallas Open by beating compatriot Taylor Fritz, then took home the Munich Open by beating Flavio Cobolli. After upsetting Fritz at the Stuttgart Open, Shelton defended his title at the Canadian Open by defeating compatriot Brandon Nakashima.

Also read: Alexandra Eala Given Breakout Star Label Despite Third-Round US Open Exit Sparks Wild Reactions – “Did She Win Anything at All?”