Carlos Alcaraz experienced a shocking setback at the Cincinnati Open, suffering an unexpected defeat against Gaël Monfils in the second round. The 21-year-old Alcaraz, known for his composed demeanor, showed a rare display of frustration by smashing his racket repeatedly against the court, bending the frame out of shape as the stunned crowd watched.
The pivotal moment occurred when Monfils solidified a break in the third set, eventually securing a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory over Alcaraz on Friday. The defeat was particularly jarring for Alcaraz, who described it as the “worst match” of his career.
In his post-match comments, Alcaraz reflected on his loss of control: “I felt like breaking my racket,” he admitted to reporters. “It never happened before because I usually manage to control my emotions and maintain my composure during tough moments. Today, however, I couldn’t control myself. I felt like I was not playing any kind of tennis.”
Alcaraz’s frustration was palpable as he struggled with his game throughout the match. Despite an impressive start, including leading 6-4, 6-6 (1-3) when play was halted due to rain on Thursday night, Alcaraz could not maintain his form. When play resumed on Friday, Monfils quickly capitalized on the opportunity, taking the second set and ultimately winning the decider while saving all four break points he faced.
For Monfils, the victory was a significant milestone, marking his first win against a top-three player since March 2022 when he defeated Daniil Medvedev at Indian Wells. Monfils celebrated his triumph with a roar and took in the crowd’s applause, reveling in the moment.
Despite his win over Alcaraz, Monfils’ day didn’t end on a high note. He returned to the court later the same day for his third-round match against Holger Rune, where he was defeated 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Reflecting on his performance, Alcaraz remarked, “It was really tough for me; I feel like it was the worst match I’ve ever played. I felt great during warm-up, but the match was completely different. I couldn’t control my serve, which made it impossible to win.”
As Alcaraz and Monfils continue their respective seasons, fans and analysts will be keenly watching how the young Spaniard rebounds from this challenging encounter and whether Monfils can build on his victory in future matches.
