"Everyone can lose" - Paula Badosa "surprised" by Carlos Alcaraz being criticized following shock loss at US Open 2024 2R

Paula Badosa recently expressed surprise at the significant criticism Carlos Alcaraz has received following his early exit in the second round of the 2024 US Open. While Alcaraz's journey at the New York Slam has ended, Badosa has advanced to the fourth round of the tournament.

Before his early exit at Flushing Meadows, Alcaraz had enjoyed a highly successful season. He clinched an ATP Masters 1000 title at the 2024 Indian Wells Masters and won two Grand Slam titles – the 2024 French Open and Wimbledon Championships by defeating Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic in the finals, respectively. Additionally, he secured the silver medal at the Paris Olympics.

The Spaniard was seeded third at the US Open, and he began his campaign with a victory over qualifier Li Tu in the first round. However, his run in New York was cut short after he suffered a surprising loss to Botic van de Zandschulp 1-6, 5-7, 4-6 in the second round.

The backlash Alcaraz faced post-defeat did not sit well with his compatriot Paula Badosa. During a press conference at the US Open following her third-round win over qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse, Badosa defended the 21-year-old, expressing that the criticism he received was unwarranted.

Badosa pointed out Alcaraz's impressive achievements this year and stated that even the most talented players can have an off day, and unnecessary negativity shouldn't be directed towards them after a single defeat.

"What surprises me, although I know it's going to be like this, is that when I woke up this morning and all I could do was read negative comments because he lost in the second round. And I thought: 'But if he's just won two Grand Slams , he's been number one in the world, he's going to win many more Grand Slams, silver medals...'" Badosa said [via Eurosport].

Badosa also said that she felt bad after reading negative comments directed at Alcaraz.

"So, these criticisms surprise me so much because everyone is human, everyone can lose in any round. Reading that makes me feel bad but I know that it is part of the job and that is what it is. But we should wave to Carlitos every day ," she added.

The 26-year-old said that it was incredible to watch Alcaraz achieve so much at such a young age . She also said that the former World No.1 is a "good person" and someone who puts high expectations on himself.

"I think that in the end he has done something so good and so incredible this summer that in the end his head also says a bit 'that's it' , you know? I think it's a bit of the saturation that he perhaps carries at such a young age, that it's very difficult to do what he's done. It's a bit of a mix of that. I don't know if he puts pressure on himself. Obviously such a good person puts expectations on himself and always wants more," she said.

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Carlos Alcaraz on his US Open 2R loss: "Mentally I'm not well, not strong"

In Picture: Carlos Alcaraz (Image via Getty Images)

Talking to the press following his loss to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the 2024 US Open, Carlos Alcaraz expressed that the defeat had left him feeling as though he had moved "backwards" after a successful season.

"I feel that, instead of taking steps forward, I've gone backward in terms of mindset. I came from a spectacular summer, saying that mentally I had taken steps forward, but I get to this part of the tour, and I take steps back," Carlos Alcaraz said as quoted by Punto de Break (translated from Spanish).

Alcaraz admitted that he has been struggling mentally and will work with his team to address these issues and ensure his continued success in the remainder of the season.

"Mentally, I'm not well, not strong. This is a problem. I want to talk to my people and see what steps we take next. I hadn't thought about all the demanding matches being so close together and how that could affect me," he added.

Carlos Alcaraz's best result at the US Open came in 2022 when he defeated Casper Ruud 6–4, 2–6, 7–6(1), 6–3 in the final to win the title, his first Grand Slam title.