In a shocking turn of events at the 2024 U.S. Open, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out in the second round by unseeded Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp. The 21-year-old Spaniard, who had been on a 15-match Grand Slam winning streak, lost in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Alcaraz, who had recently claimed titles at the French Open and Wimbledon, struggled to find his form from the beginning of the match. He appeared uncharacteristically error-prone and out of sync, never quite managing to settle into his usual rhythm.
On the other hand, Van de Zandschulp, ranked 74th in the world, delivered an outstanding performance. His solid defense and strategic play proved too challenging for Alcaraz, who, despite showing flashes of brilliance, couldn’t regain control of the match.
After the match, a disappointed Alcaraz acknowledged Van de Zandschulp’s strong performance, saying, “He played great. He didn’t make a lot of mistakes, which threw me off a bit. I didn’t know how to handle that.”
For Van de Zandschulp, who has struggled with left foot injuries over the past two years, this victory is a career-defining moment. The former U.S. Open quarter-finalist expressed his joy, saying, “It’s been an incredible evening. My first night session on Arthur Ashe, and the crowd was amazing. Thank you for that. Unbelievable night.”
This early exit marks Alcaraz’s most disappointing Grand Slam performance since Wimbledon in 2021. The Paris Olympics silver medallist will be looking to regroup and bounce back to the form that has made him one of tennis’s most promising young talents.
As the tournament continues, Van de Zandschulp will aim to build on this victory as he prepares to face Britain’s Jack Draper in the next round. Reflecting on his win, he said, “From the first point today, I believed I had a chance. I had some nerves, but to beat one of these guys, you have to stay unbelievably calm and keep your head in the game.”