Carlos Alcaraz apologizes for smashing racket during loss

Carlos Alcaraz Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Alcaraz apologizes for smashing racket during 'worst match' of his career

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Aug 17, 2024 5:56 PM ET

Less than 24 hours after having a racket-smashing temper tantrum during an upset loss in the second round of the Cincinnati Open, Carlos Alcaraz offered an apology and an explanation for his behavior.

The world's No. 3 ranked player said his attitude on Friday was inappropriate and unbecoming.

"I am human, I had a lot of nerves inside and sometimes it is very difficult to control yourself when your heart rate is so high," Alcaraz said in a post made to X Saturday. "I will work so that it does not happen again."

Alcaraz struggled in the Round of 32 against Frenchman Gael Monfils, eventually falling 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 to the 46th-ranked player in the world. It was during the third set that the Spaniard lost his cool, bashing his racket against the ground and mangling it into an unrecognizable shape.

"He desperately wants to win this match" #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/QkiDhvNHtw
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 16, 2024

The temper tantrum — which was backed by the growing gasps from the crowd each time his racket made contact with the court — was out of character for Alcaraz. Though usually calm and collected, the moment got to the 21-year-old, who believed he was playing the worst match of his career.

Speaking with reporters after the loss, Alcaraz blamed the court conditions, particularly the center court, for his poor outing.

"The balls were faster on the center court, bounce much, much more than other courts," Alcaraz said via Tennis TV. "I know how to play on this court but I felt like totally different surfaces, totally different sport."

Alcaraz is seemingly ready to put the ugly incident behind him after pondering things with a clear head. Now, he will turn his attention to the 2024 U.S. Open in New York, which begins with qualifying rounds on Aug. 19.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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