"What I’m thinking right now is I’m not changing": Crestfallen Carlos Alcaraz shellshocked after Van de Zandschulp US Open shock

Carlos Alcaraz lost out in one of the biggest shock defeats in US Open history in one of his worst displays ever in a match against Botic van de Zandschulp which provides more questions than answers.

Alcaraz was poor being defeated 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 in favour of the Dutchman who provided an epic display and the night of his life. But after his poor display against Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Open mere weeks ago, it is another damning indictment of where the game of the Spaniard is.

As Sinner and Djokovic continue to impress, Alcaraz has faltered again and was left crestfallen in his post match press conference and devoid of answers.

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“I don’t know what to say right now. First of all he played great. He played really good tennis. I thought he would give me more free points. He didn’t make a lot of mistakes I thought he was going to make.. it was confusing a bit," said Alcaraz.

"I didn’t know how to manage or deal with it. I couldn’t increase my level. I think my level stayed the same the whole match. It wasn’t enough to do it or to give myself the chance to get into the match or try to give myself chances. So what can I say? I didn’t feel well hitting the ball. I made a lot of mistakes. When I wanted to come back it was too late.”

Asked also about whether the tight schedule was an issue, he said that perhaps playing constantly was the problem.

“Probably. Yeah. The tennis schedule is so tight. I’ve been playing a lot of matches lately. With Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Olympics.. I took a little break after Olympics. I thought it was enough. It was really helpful for me.

"Probably it wasn’t enough. I came here without as much energy as I thought I was going to come with. But I don’t want to use that as an excuse. But it’s so tight. I’m a player who needs more days or more of a break coming into the big tournaments and important ones. I have to think about it and learn about it. Let’s see.”

He also said that he felt like he didn't know what to do in the match and whether he has ever felt like that before, he said that in his eyes he is not changing and that is the problem.

“Well I’ve felt like that in a few matches. After every match I felt like that, I always say the same. ‘I have to learn about it. I have to think about it.’ What I’m thinking right now is I’m not changing. That’s the problem. If I’m gonna sit here after the matches where I felt like that… that I couldn’t deal with it, I couldn’t change the match, or I couldn’t pick myself a little bit… but if I’m never gonna change, it’s gonna be really tough if I want to improve. I can’t say much about it.”

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Botic van de Zandschulp just knocked Carlos Alcaraz out of the US Open!

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