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In his tough quarterfinal defeat to Ben Shelton at the US Open, Carlos Alcaraz said he was physically drained but credited himself for playing until the very end.
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The defending champion fought through a five-set marathon at Arthur Ashe Stadium before Shelton won a tiebreak in the deciding set. Alcaraz was under pressure for some of the game but found his form as the game went on.
Carlos Alcaraz Confesses He Was Physically Tired
Alcaraz said he was proud of how he came through the loss despite his physical issues.
The Spanish star said, “I’m just proud of myself about how I fought. Physically, I was really tired, but I found a way to push myself and give an extra physically. In the fifth set, I started to feel better and better.”
Alcaraz also gave credit to Shelton for the quality he provided throughout the game, especially when it came to pressure.
The tennis player added, “I was playing against someone who on the day is a beast. Shelton is an unbelievable player, very powerful. He managed to play really, really well in every situation.”
The Spaniard was pushed to his limits by Shelton’s serve and aggressive baseline game. Alcaraz was under pressure from the American time and time again, and he had to come up with answers as his energy waned.
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Alcaraz also appeared to have vomited in his towel towards the end of the match as his physical condition took a turn for the worse.
Alcaraz Explains Shelton’s Serving Pressure
Alcaraz also shared his insights on how it can be hard to get into a game when you’re on the receiving end of Shelton’s serve.
Alcaraz said, “You’re trying to overcome all the problems you might have, physically tired a lot. Then, obviously, when he’s serving, he puts a lot of pressure on you.”
He also said that Shelton’s serving ability is a question mark in front of every return.
That pressure was one of the most defining aspects of the match, as Shelton was able to repeatedly use his power to cut points and stop Alcaraz from finding a rhythm.
Although he ultimately fell short, Alcaraz’s effort was a testament to the physical demands of the match. His loss put an end to his bid to defend his US Open title, but his post-match remarks revealed that he had no qualms about the effort he put in against an inspired Shelton.
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This story was originally published September 9, 2026 at 1:30 AM.