How Carlos Alcaraz's 2R exit from US Open compares to Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic's worst results in New York

Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the US Open. The World No. 3 lost in straight sets to end the year with two Grand Slam titles.

Alcaraz was one of the favorites going into the last Grand Slam of the year after his Wimbledon and French Open double. However, the 21-year-old looked a shadow of himself throughout his second-round match and lost 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. It was the earliest exit the Spaniard has suffered at the Slam, having made it at least to the quarterfinals on all previous occasions.

Alcaraz's early exit from the US Open is similar to that of the Big Three's worst record at Flushing Meadows, the Spaniard having matched compatriot Rafael Nadal in being knocked out of the Major in the second round.

Nadal lost in the second round of his US Open debut in 2003, defeated in straight sets, 7-6(6), 6-3, 7-6(6) by the Moroccan tennis star Younes El Aynaoui. He suffered another second-round straight-sets defeat in 2004 to American ace Andy Roddick, 6-0, 6-3, 6-4. He went on to win the Slam on four occasions in 2010, 2013, 2017, and 2019.

Similarly, Novak Djokovic endured a tough start to his career at the New York Slam. The Serbian lost his third-round clash against Fernando Verdasco 6-1, 4-6, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-4 during his debut US Open campaign in 2005. A year later, he again lost in the third round to Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets 6-3, 6-1, 6-2. He went on the win the Major on four occasions in 2011, 2015, 2018, and 2023.

Roger Federer has the best record at Flushing Meadows among the 'Big Three'. The Swiss maestro won the title on five occasions from 2004 to 2008. However, even the tennis great had a tough time settling in on the American hard court during his initial years.

Federer made his first appearance at the New York Slam in 2000 when he was knocked out in the third round. The Swiss star was defeated by Spanish ace Juan Carlos Ferrero in four sets. He lost the first two sets but mounted a comeback in the third, before losing the fourth set in a tie-break to lose the match 7-5, 7-6(6), 1-6, 7-6(6).

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Carlos Alcaraz has enjoyed a successful 2024 season despite his early US Open exit

Carlos Alcaraz started his season with a quarterfinal run at the Australian Open, losing to Alexander Zverev in four sets. The Grand Slam in Melbourne remains the only Major that has eluded the 21-year-old.

Alcaraz avenged his Australian Open defeat at the French Open final against Zverev. The Spaniard came back from two sets down to beat the German in the final to win his maiden Roland Garros title. After his heroics in Paris, he defended his Wimbledon title by beating Novak Djokovic in straight sets.

After his French Open and Wimbledon triumphs, Alcaraz was the favorite to win the Olympics gold medal in Paris. However, Djokovic defeated the young Spaniard in the final to claim his maiden gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. After his second-round exit from the US Open, the Spaniard will now look to the ATP Finals to end his season on a high.