High stakes, higher hopes: Carlos Alcaraz gears up for US Open 2024

Spain’s young tennis star Carlos Alcaraz will be looking to keep his recent struggle behind as he gets ready to take part in the upcoming US Open 2024. The 21-year-old is already regarded as one of the best players currently playing in men’s tennis, along with Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic.

Alcaraz’s most recent appearance came in the Cincinnati Open where he suffered a shocking defeat to France’s Gael Monfils in the round of 32 with a score of 4-6, 7-6, 6-4. At the end of match, the Spaniard showed his frustration and broke his racket on the court. He went on to explain the reason behind why he was frustrated during the match.

"I couldn't play. Honestly, I'd been practising really well,” he said. “The previous days, I was feeling great, hitting the ball clear, moving well. I don't know what happened. I don't know how I felt like this. I couldn't control myself. It's really difficult to find some good stuff from this match. So I want to forget it and try to move on ... I'll go to New York and try to practise well, get used to those courts."

Despite that result, Alcaraz will be highly optimistic about going into the mega-event as he is having a fabulous season where he has already won two Grand Slam titles. He lifted the French Open after beating Germany’s Alexander Zverev in a five-set thriller with a score of 6–3, 2–6, 5–7, 6–1, 6–2. He then went on to win the Wimbledon title after beating Djokovic in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-2, 7-6. Alcaraz recently participated in the Paris Olympics, where he won the silver medal. He lost in the final of the singles event to Djokovic in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 7-6.