“The worst match that I have ever played in my career” - Carlos Alcaraz gives honest assessment of 'tough' Cincinnati Open 2R loss to Gael Monfils

Carlos Alcaraz spoke about his second-round defeat to Gael Monfils at the 2024 Cincinnati Open, calling it the worst match he has played in his career. The French veteran came back from a set down to win 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4.

Alcaraz, who has been having a great season having won two Grand Slams, an Olympic silver, and a Masters 1000 event, kicked off his North American hard-court swing at the Cincinnati Open, where he was a finalist last season. Due to his seeding, the Spaniard received a bye in the opening round and was given Monfils, who defeated Canadian Open winner Alexei Popyrin in his opening match.

Their hard-fought battle was suspended in the second set tiebreaker due to rain. When play resumed, Monfils managed to turn things around and went on to win the match 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4. Alcaraz was visibly frustrated during the match and smashed his racket during the deciding set.

While speaking to the media after his loss, the Spaniard called the match "tough" and the worst that he ever played in his career.

"It was really, really tough for me, I feel like it was the worst match that I have ever played in my career. Couldn't play, honestly," the 21-year-old.

Alcaraz said that though he was feeling great ahead of the match, he felt that he was playing a different sport on the Center Court where the balls were bouncing much more compared to other courts.

"I've been practicing really well in this tournament. The previous days I was feeling great, hitting the ball clear, moving well. Probably I felt like it was another sport playing on the center court than the other courts. The balls were faster on the Center Court, bounce much, much more than other courts," Alcaraz said.

"I think it's impossible to get any good things about this match" - Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz (Image Source: Getty)

Speaking further, Carlos Alcaraz said that despite feeling different on Centre Court compared to others in Cincinnati, his mindset was still the same and that he was ready to win any tournament he enters.

"As I said honestly I came here thinking that, I'm going to feel good, I'm going to put a good tennis because I'm used to playing in this court, I know how to play on this court, but I felt like totally different surfaces, totally different sport. And yeah, it couldn't happen so, but my mindset and my feeling is I'm ready to win in every tournament that I go."

The Spaniard also claimed that it was impossible to list any positives from his defeat to Gael Monfils.

"I think it's impossible to get any good things about this match."

Carlos Alcaraz is next scheduled to play at the US Open, where he reached the semifinals last year before losing to eventual runner-up Daniil Medvedev.