"Negative thoughts have more power than the positive": Carlos Alcaraz reflects after second round US Open win

Carlos Alcaraz is through to the third round of the 2025 US Open, but even as he spoke with a smile in his post-match press conference, his mind kept drifting back to the ghosts of last year. "Negative thoughts have more power than the positive," he admitted. "That’s normal. I try not to let them stay in my mind too long, but sometimes it happens.".

At the second round of the US Open, the Spaniard managed to cruise through, defeating Italian Mattia Bellucci 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 in 1 hour and 38 minutes. Alcaraz, who fell in the second round at Flushing Meadows in 2024 to Botic Van de Zandschulp, confessed that the memory of that disappointment lingered heavily as he walked onto the court this week. "I thought about last year when I stepped on the court - some bad thoughts," Alcaraz said. "I was nervous, thinking, OK, I don’t want to do the same thing as I did last year losing in the second round," he admitted in his post-match press conference.

This year, though, Alcaraz made sure history did not repeat itself. The 22-year-old cruised past his opponent in straight sets, describing it afterwards as a "really solid match" in which he hit most of the targets he set himself. "I set up some goals at the beginning of the match, which I think I did pretty well," he said. "Some things I have to improve that I didn’t do as well as I wanted, but I’m just really happy. He played his best match, I know it, but I’m just happy to go through.".

Alcaraz was quick to acknowledge how much last year’s failure has shaped his growth. At the time, he called it "the worst thing I had ever done." Now, with perspective, he sees it differently. "Looking back, I wanted to improve from that experience I lived," he explained. "And I think when I lost in the second round, you know, last year, was one of those moments where I learned a lot, how to deal with situations, how I should have done things much better. And I think I've just done it this year much, much better.".

It is a telling insight into the mentality of a player who has now reached the final in seven consecutive events. For Alcaraz, resilience has become as important as shot-making. "I think I’m playing such great tennis, tournament after tournament," he said. "Obviously, I have my ups and downs. I have matches where I don’t feel really good, but I try to survive those matches and give myself another opportunity in the next round.".

The difference, he explained, has been knowing when to recharge. "I took some days between swings or tournaments, which helped me a lot to come into another swing or tournament with a lot of energy, fresh mentally, just to perform at my best. I think I’ve done that really well.".

If there was one technical area that stood out in his second-round victory, it was the return. Against one of the tour’s many big servers, Alcaraz’s anticipation repeatedly turned defense into instant attack as he won more than half of his first return points. "The return is the shot that starts the point," he said. "If you make a really good return, you put yourself in a position of attack, which I really like... I put so much  attention to it in practice and in every match. I'm paying attention to the stats about my return. I’m just trying to do it every day.".

Not everything at the press conference was serious. Alcaraz spoke about his celebration, mimicking a golf swing in homage to Rory McIlroy, who had been watching in the first round. "It’s getting better," he laughed. "With a tennis racket it’s easier, I have to say. I did it in the first round because Rory was there, and I think I took it and owned it. I love playing golf. It hasn’t gotten much better, but it’s quite decent.".

As the tournament heads into its decisive stages, Alcaraz is clear that his focus lies less on stopping opponents and more on polishing his own game. "Most of the time I’m focused on myself, playing my best, improving the things I’ve done wrong in previous matches or tournaments. My full attention is on myself," he said.

Alcaraz will now turn his attention to the third round, where he faces another Italian, the No. 32 seed Luciano Darderi. The matchup promises a different challenge, but Alcaraz insists his focus will remain on his own game and the goals he sets each time he steps onto the court. Armed with the lessons of last year’s early exit, the confidence of a commanding straight-sets win over Mattia Bellucci, and a mindset that thrives on turning defense into attack, Alcaraz heads into the next round with his eyes firmly fixed on another deep run in New York.