Carlos Alcaraz shows true colours with brutally honest US Open admission

Former US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz has admitted that his surprising second-round exit in 2024 still sticks in his memory. The Spanish ace sailed into the third round after defeating Mattia Bellucci 6-1, 6-0, 6-3, in a swift one hour and 36 minutes.

That was a stark contrast to his US Open performance at the same stage last year, when he was defeated in straight sets by Botic van de Zandschulp. The Dutchman subsequently lost his next match, confessing that he had struggled to manage the heightened media scrutiny after his upset victory.

However, that setback has led Alcaraz to return to New York as a more well-rounded player. After his second-round victory, Alcaraz displayed his true character and will to win by explaining that he had learned a crucial lesson from his exit last year that could benefit his long-term career.

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"Well, right now it's a good view, and I think it was really helpful for me," Alcaraz said, reflecting on his defeat to Van de Zandschulp. "Back at that time, it wasn't the worst thing I have ever done, if I'm honest.

"But yeah, looking back, I wanted just to improve from the experience that I have lived. I think when I lost in the second round, you know, last year, was one of those moments when I learned a lot how to deal with some situations, how should I have done things much better.

"I think I've just done it this year much, much better. So it was a great experience that I learned a lot from."

Alcaraz couldn't manage a comeback triumph at the Australian Open, exiting at the quarter-final stage. However, he did prevail in a thrilling five-set battle against Jannik Sinner in the French Open final. Sinner gained his revenge on Alcaraz at Wimbledon, but it's still been a notable year for the Spaniard.

The 22-year-old has already won five Grand Slam titles, yet his hunger for victory remains undiminished. This was evidenced by Alcaraz admitting that his defeat to Van de Zandschulp even overshadows his 2022 US Open win in his own mind.

When asked for his standout memory from the US Open, Alcaraz said: "Well, when I lost last year, if I'm honest, because it's more recent. I have great memories when I won, when I won here, I've seen some pictures come here from back in 2022.

"Yeah, if I'm honest, I thought about last year when I stepped on the court. Some bad thoughts. I was nervous about it, like thinking, okay, I don't want to do the same thing as I did last year, losing in the second round.

"I just thought about it a little bit, but, you know, I'm just really happy that I got through and have another chance in the third round. My thinks has been more about last year than when I won in 2022."

When pushed to explain his thought process, Alcaraz added: "I don't know. It's more recent, and I just don't want to do the same things that I did last year. So I just want to improve, and I think people in general or myself have the negative thoughts stuck there than the positive, or the negative thoughts has more power than the positive thoughts, positive things.

"I think that's normal. I'm trying not to let them stuck in my mind so many times or so much time on it, but sometimes it happens like this."