US Open 2024: Carlos Alcaraz suffers second-round exit after shock defeat to unseeded Botic van de Zandschulp

Carlos Alcaraz is out of the 2024 US Open after suffering a stunning 6-1 7-5 6-4 defeat at the hands of world No. 74 Botic van de Zandschulp. The Dutchman recorded the biggest victory of his career so far at Flushing Meadows to end Alcaraz's dream of winning three majors in the same calender year. Van de Zandschulp will take on Britain's Jack Draper in the third round.

Carlos Alcaraz admits Botic van de Zandschulp was more consistent than he expected after suffering a shock 6-1 7-5 6-4 defeat at the hands of the Dutchman in the second round of the US Open.

The world No. 3, who has already won the French Open and Wimbledon in 2024, was far from his best against the world No. 74.

Van de Zandschulp will now play Britain's Jack Draper in the third round at Flushing Meadows.

Australian Open

Medvedev explains what makes Alcaraz and Sinner 'better than the rest'

03/01/2026 at 20:37

Alcaraz had not lost a match at a Grand Slam since his defeat against Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in January.

"I don't know what to say right now," Alcaraz said. "First of all, I think he played great. He played really good tennis.

"I thought he was going to give me more points. I'm going to say more free points. He didn't make a lot of mistakes that I thought he was going to do.

• ‘Talk about putting pressure on someone’ - McEnroe on expectation for Gauff to emulate Serena
• I’ll have to bring my best’ – Gauff looks ahead to Svitolina clash after reaching third round
• ‘I can improve’ - Sinner continues blistering form to breeze into US Open third round

"So I was confused a little bit. I didn't know how to manage that, how to deal with it. I couldn't increase my level.

“I think my level stayed at the same point all the match, and it wasn't enough to win the match or to give myself the chance to get into the match or try to give myself chances. So what can I say?"

Alcaraz insists a roller coaster of emotion got the better of him as Van de Zandschulp secured the biggest win of his career.

"It was a fight against myself, in my mind, during the match,” the Spanish star continued.

"In tennis you are playing against someone that wants the same as you, to win the match, and you have to be as calm as you can just to think better in the match and try to do good things.

'I couldn't increase my level' - Alcaraz stunned by 'roller coaster' defeat at US Open

Video credit: SNTV

"I was up in some points. Then I lost some points, I got down. It was a roller coaster, let's say, in my mind.

"So I can't be like that if I want to think about big things, so I have to improve it. I have to learn about it."

Alcaraz fell to a dramatic defeat against Novak Djokovic in the gold medal match at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, having retained his Wimbledon title less than a month before.

The Spaniard believes he may have needed more rest before returning to the court after such a busy summer.

"I’ve been playing a lot of matches lately with Roland Garros, with Wimbledon, Olympic Games," he added.

"I took a little break after the Olympic Games. I thought it was enough. It was really helpful for me. Probably it wasn't enough.

"But yeah, probably I came here with not as much energy as I thought that I was going to come. But, I mean, I don't want to put that as an excuse."

---

Watch and stream the 2024 Laver Cup live on Eurosport and discovery+

Tennis

Djokovic's major quest, Sinner v Alcaraz battle, Gauff's No. 1 bid - What to watch in 2026

01/01/2026 at 15:04

Tennis

Best moments of 2025 tennis season: Alcaraz, Sinner, Swiatek, Gauff heroics

31/12/2025 at 14:48