Carlos Alcaraz has revealed he smashed his racket in anger because he played the 'worst match' of his career in his defeat to Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Masters on Friday night.
The Spaniard went into the clash as the favourite to reign supreme.
But Alcaraz was unable to operate at his best, with Monfils capitalising to win 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 to progress to the round of 16.
Alcaraz usually keeps his temper in check, with his composure one of his best attributes.
if your gonna do it, do it right 🎾 pic.twitter.com/ZALgYnBZmC
— Carlos Alcaraz Videos (@alcarazvideos) August 17, 2024
Yet the 21-year-old lost his temper on Friday, smashing his racket in anger as the match started to slip away.
Now, Alcaraz has revealed he was furious because he played the 'worst match' of his career, while also branding the defeat 'really tough'.
He said: "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.
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"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 centre court than the other courts. The balls were faster and bounce much, much more than other courts.”
Alcaraz's uncharacteristic fit of rage left commentators shocked.
Sky Sports' Laura Robson reacted by saying: "Goodness, when do you see that from him?
"That has properly shocked me. When was the last time he broke a racket? He has melted that thing."
Her colleague, Jonathan Overend, added: "When have you seen that before in the life of Carlos Alcaraz?
"That's almost like his whole career of frustration coming out in one split second."
The defeat has dealt Alcaraz a blow as he looks to finish 2024 as the world No 1.
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Carlos Alcaraz has revealed he smashed his racket in anger because he played the 'worst match' of his career in his defeat to Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Masters on Friday night
SKY
Britain's Jack Draper, meanwhile, is through to the round of 16 after a controversial win over Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The match ended in dramatic circumstances, with Auger-Aliassime left enraged after believing the winning point wasn't legitimate.
Carlos Alcaraz smashed his racket multiple times as he lost to Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Masters
SKY
The ball seemed to deflect from Draper's racket frame on the floor before looping over the net via the cord.
Auger-Aliassime was still visibly frustrated as they embraced after the match after seeing his hopes of glory ended in the most bizarre of circumstances.
