Carlos Alcaraz ‘moved away from image of being 100% perfect’ claims former world No 1
Carlos Alcaraz has “detached” himself from his “100% perfect” image according to Mats Wilander – who believes the incident will only benefit the world No 3.
Alcaraz has only played one match on hard courts this summer, heading straight to the US Open off the back of a three-set loss to Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Open.
But it was not the loss that got most people talking, with a dramatic racket smash from the Spaniard early in the third set attracting huge attention on social media and beyond.
After the match, Alcaraz credited his frustration to playing what he described as the “worst match” of his career in incredibly fast – and sometimes blustery – conditions.
Few have mastered the art of playing quite as well in Cincinnati as former world No 1 Wilander did, with the Swede having won the title four times throughout the 1980s.
And, speaking to Eurosport, the seven-time major winner said he hated to see Alcaraz break a racket – but believes the incident will ease the pressure off the 2022 US Open champion in New York.
Wilander said: “Cincinnati is a very tough place to play tennis.
“It’s very windy, the courts are very fast. He was obviously very tired and didn’t win the Olympics.
Carlos Alcaraz News
WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz suffers rankings blow as he OBLITERATES racket in Cincinnati loss
“I hate to see someone break a racquet, I think that’s the last thing you want to do as a tennis player, because racquets aren’t free for 99.999% of the population. Don’t break them.
“But at the same time, he’s kind of detached himself from his image of being 100% perfect at all times, off the court, on the court, on social media. He’s kind of moved away from that.
“I think it’s a good thing for him, in a way, and I think it takes some of the pressure off him.”
Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz heads into the US Open as one of the favourites for the title, having triumphed at the French Open and Wimbledon,
The 21-year-old defeated Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros before downing Novak Djokovic for the second straight year at SW19, though then fell to the Serbian in the Olympic final.
It has been two years since the Spaniard memorably claimed his first Grand Slam singles title in New York, beating Casper Ruud in four sets to lift the title.
A year ago he reached the last four in his title defence before falling to Daniil Medvedev, and will be looking to make amends for that defeat.
Alcaraz could face Medvedev or world No 1 Jannik Sinner in the last four, before a potential final against Djokovic.
Read Next: Jannik Sinner handed nightmare US Open draw as Novak Djokovic is a big winner
