Author: lehang

Carlos Alcaraz smashed his racket to pieces in a rare show of frustration during his second-round clash against Gael Monfils at the 2024 Cincinnati Open, drawing strong reactions from tennis fans. The Spaniard, who narrowly lost to Novak Djokovic in a thrilling final last year, failed to advance past his opening match at the ATP Masters 1000 event on his return.

Competing in his only warm-up tournament before the US Open, Alcaraz was aiming for a deep run in Cincinnati to gain momentum on hardcourts after his recent silver medal win on clay at the Paris Olympics. Following a first-round bye, the Spaniard squared off against Gael Monfils in his tournament opener.

After clinching the opening set 6-4, the 21-year-old locked in a tense second-set tiebreak with Monfils when rain played spoilsport and postponed the remainder of the encounter to the next day. The Frenchman took control of the match after the resumption of play, clinching the second set and eventually securing a 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 victory in two hours and 30 minutes.

Carlos Alcaraz, meanwhile, was left frustrated over his struggle to challenge the 37-year-old in the contest. Failing to break Monfils’ serve while trailing 1-2 in the deciding set, the Spaniard vented his anger by repeatedly smashing his racket into the ground until it was destroyed.

A few fans empathized with Alcaraz, showing grace to the four-time Grand Slam champion for his uncharacteristic outburst.

“It’s a part of life. You win some, you lose some. And sometimes we let anger get the best of us. No need for everyone to freak out,” one fan commented.

However, the majority of fans condemned the perceived “leniency” shown towards the 21-year-old, arguing that Novak Djokovic had been labeled unsportsmanlike for similar displays of anger.

“Had Novak smashed the racket I’m sure the tweet wouldn’t be this lenient,” one fan posted.

“If Djokovic smashed a racket like that, he’d be publicly crucified,” a fan argued.

“When Alcaraz does, “he desperately wants to win the match” when Novak does, “he doesn’t have sportsmanship” 😭😭👍🏻,” another fan wrote.

“When Alcaraz smashes a racket: “he wants to win so badly!” When Djokovic smashes a racket: “disgusting violent thug, unsportsmanlike behaviour, ban him from the tour,”” said another.

Fans continued to discredit Carlos Alcaraz’s gracious and classy on-court perception, contending that the likes of Serena Williams and Djokovic were met with much harsher judgment.

“But, but, but the haters assured me that only Djokovic breaks racquets? That Alcaraz is always smiling? I’m soooo confused,” one fan sarcastically remarked.

“I was always told that Alcaraz is very gracious and classy on court? This must be a mistake cause this surely can’t be him? Not a good look in that case on top of excessive grunting, constant fist pumping, vamosing, coach-convos, and now racquet smashing,” another fan chimed in.

“Lol I don’t want to be that person but when a guy does it “he wants to win”. When Serena did it “she needs to control herself,”” said yet another.

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic set to be back in action at US Open 2024

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic (Source: Getty)
Carlos Alcaraz and defending champion Novak Djokovic will both be back in action at the 2024 US Open, with the main draw matches scheduled to commence on August 26.

Having played just one match during the North American hardcourt swing before the New York Major, the Spaniard might find himself underprepared for the tournament. Djokovic will be similarly short on match practice at the final Grand Slam of the season, having chosen to skip all warm-up tournaments after his gold medal win at the Paris Olympics.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion triumphed at the US Open last year, claiming a dominant win over Daniil Medvedev in the final. Carlos Alcaraz, meanwhile, is defending a run to the semifinals, having fallen short against Medvedev while attempting to defend his 2022 triumph in New York.

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Both Corentin Moutet and Carlos Alcaraz couldn’t win a match in the main draw of the Cincinnati Open this year.

Eleventh seed Corentin Moutet took a hilarious dig at Carlos Alcaraz for his racket smash in Cincinnati on Friday (August 16). It is worth noting that both players are now out of the Masters 1000 event.

Moutet lost to unseeded Fabian Marozsan 6-4, 7-5 in the Round of 64 on Wednesday. Two days later, Alcaraz lost a rain-delayed encounter with Gael Monfils in the Round of 32.

When I do it I’ve got mental issue

Corentin Moutet tweeted on X

When I do it I’ve got “mental issue” 😂 https://t.co/b3t2lgolTg

— Corentin Moutet (@moutet99) August 16, 2024

Both Alcaraz and Moutet competed at the Paris Olympics earlier this month. The Frenchman lost in the third round to Tommy Paul, while Alcaraz lost the gold medal match to Novak Djokovic. However, both players now head to the US Open with shaky form. This was Alcaraz’s first match on hard courts since the Miami Masters in late March.

How will Carlos Alcaraz fare at the US Open?

Until the Olympic gold medal match this year, Carlos Alcaraz was considered the best player on the planet. The Spaniard had captured his first Roland Garros title and successfully defended his Wimbledon title.

Carlos Alcaraz (Image vis US Open)
However, things have taken a dip since then. He lost the Olympic gold medal match to Novak Djokovic and was defeated by Gael Monfils in his opening round at the Cincinnati Open. While much can be said about Alcaraz’s extended summer schedule and the rain delay in Cincinnati, the Spaniard did not look sharp at all. Things came to a head when he smashed his racket earlier in the third set.

Alcaraz remains one of the favorites to win the US Open, but Djokovic could be considered the man to beat in New York despite not playing since winning the gold medal. The Serbian is the defending champion at this year’s US Open.

World No. 71 Emma Raducanu, before the 2025 Australian Open, will feature at the Hong Kong Open, a WTA 250 event.

Emma Raducanu (Image via Imago)

Emma Raducanu will feature in the Hong Kong Open, a WTA 250 event scheduled to start in October this year. The Hong Kong Open confirmed the same. It will be one of the tournaments she will play before the start of the 2025 Australian Open.

Raducanu recently skipped the 2024 Paris Olympics to play at the Citi Open instead. However, she was eliminated in the quarterfinals by eventual winner Paula Badosa, who defeated the Brit in three sets.
As she was not given the wild card to feature in the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open, she decided to skip the tournaments, as advancing to the main draw would require her to play the Qualifiers.

Before the Citi Open, Raducanu played three grass-court events, including the Wimbledon Championships, and made it to the fourth round, where New Zealand’s Lulu Sun stopped her from advancing to her first-ever quarterfinals at the SW19.

The World No. 71 has not yet won a title this season and is searching for her second title since winning the 2021 US Open. Raducanu also has an 18/11 win-loss record this year.

Monica Puig urges Emma Raducanu to play qualifying rounds

When Emma Raducanu was not handed the wild card for the French Open, she decided to skip the major event. Though her decision proved helpful later on, for she played decently on the grass-court season, her skipping the qualifying rounds of the two hard-court events in Montreal and Cincinnati was questioned by Monica Puig, a former WTA player.
Emma Raducanu (Image via Imago)
The former player from Puerto Rico, who won the gold medal in singles at the 2016 Rio Olympics, urged the 2021 US Open champion to not miss the tournaments before the US Open. Puig believes playing at the Qualifiers will help the 21-year-old get the momentum she needs before the event in New York.

Because let’s call it like it is, practice is practice, but playing in a match situation is something that can’t be replicated in practice and can only be done while competing. Not really sure what the play was here but hopefully she can find her form heading into the US Open.

Monica Puig told Tennis Channel

The main draw of the US Open starts on 26th August and Raducanu will be bidding to win her second title there. In the 2021 US Open, the Brit defeated Leylah Fernandez to become the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title.

Qinwen Zheng, who beat World No. 1 Iga Swiatek on her way to the Olympic gold medal win, recalls her parents’ sacrifices.

Chinese tennis star Qinwen Zheng brought glory to her nation by beating Donna Vekic in the gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She became the first-ever Asian athlete to do it. Earlier, she beat World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in straight sets in the semifinals.

This Olympic medal win came before any major title for the Chinese ace. Zheng was doing great in the last few months, making it to the Australian Open final, followed by quarterfinal qualification in Dubai and Rome.

She won the title in Palermo right before she came to Paris to take part in the Summer Games. Although Zheng was playing incredibly well, she was not among the favorites to win the gold medal. With her getting pitted to face four-time French Open champion Swiatek in the semis, it seemed even more difficult.
However, against all the odds, the 21-year-old won the gold medal at the Summer Games, the first for China since tennis returned to the Olympics in 1988. This win was hard-earned for Zheng, whose family made sacrifices to support her career. For instance, Zheng’s father almost sold their house to support her in realizing her dreams.

Qinwen Zheng’s sacrifices and the result

After her Olympic gold medal win, Qinwen Zheng revealed that her father almost sold their house when she was 15 to support her in her quest to become a world-class tennis player.
Qinwen Zheng (Image via Imago)

When I was 14/15, my dad almost sold our house to fund my tennis lessons. He knew I had potential, and wants to give all he can to realise my dream.

Qinwen Zheng said in a recent interview

The 21-year-old Chinese WTA star thanked her parents for helping her stay focused on her dream and teaching her discipline. Right after her gold medal win, she talked about the impact they have had on her career.

They taught me how to be disciplined and to stay focused on my dream. Most importantly, they always believed in me and the heights I could reach. I want to thank them for that.

Qinwen Zheng said (H/T: China Daily)

Notably, Zheng also maintained a strict diet for the whole year to stay in shape and be at her peak fitness for the biggest stages. The Chinese ace did not even enjoy a cheat meal as it she thought itcould sabotage her preparations.

The International Boxing Association disqualified Khelif from an event last year for having a high level of testosterone in her system.

Martina Navratilova has further slammed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for allowing Imane Khelif to compete in women’s boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The American legend has been vocal against the IOC’s decision to allow the Algerian to compete with the women.

Khelif was disqualified from competing in the Women’s World Boxing Championships last year after failing a gender eligibility test. The International Boxing Association (IBA) stated that the athlete had a high level of testosterone.

Surprisingly, the IOC has allowed Khelif to compete at the Paris Olympics, which has been a controversial decision. On Thursday (August 1), Khelif’s opponent Italy’s Angela Carini quit their Round of 16 bout in the 66-kg after just 46 seconds.

During the bout, Carini’s headgear was dislodged after a few punches were exchanged. She complained about an intense pain in her nose and was in tears in the ring after quitting the bout. She later refused to shake hands with Khelif and left the ring.

Martina Navratilova took to social media to slam the IOC and called the governing body ‘deplorable’.

Deplorable. This will not end well for the people in power who allowed this to happen.

Martina Navratilova said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Deplorable. This will not end well for the people in power who allowed this to happen. https://t.co/9vR2ylnoJR

— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) August 1, 2024

Khelif competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she failed to win a medal. She is an accomplished amateur boxer, having won a silver medal at the 2022 World Boxing Championships.

IOC defends its decision to allow Imane Khelif to compete in women’s boxing, despite eligibility controversy

The IOC recently defended its decision to allow Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting to compete in women’s boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Both athletes were disqualified from the World Boxing Championships last year after failing gender eligibility tests.
Algeria’s Imane Khelif (L), Lin Yu-ting winning an event (R) (Source: Instagram/X)
However, the IOC has less strict gender eligibility rules. A spokesperson revealed that both athletes were declared as female on their passports and thus they could compete in women’s boxing at the Summer Games.

Obviously I am not going to comment on individuals. That’s really invidious and unfair. But I would just say that everyone competing in the women’s category is complying with the competition eligibility rules. They are women in their passports and it is stated that is the case,.

Mark Adams, IOC spokesperson, said (via The Guardian)

On Wednesday, two other athletes caused a stir on social media. Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, two soccer players who were ruled out of a tournament in 2022 because of abnormally high testosterone levels, scored five goals during their 6-5 defeat to Australia.

WNBA Friday Night Spotlight: Caitlin Clark Shines in Phoenix Mercury vs. Indiana Fever Clash

The WNBA Friday Night Spotlight featured a thrilling match-up between the Phoenix Mercury and the Indiana Fever, with Caitlin Clark delivering an electrifying performance that captivated fans. The game, which showcased Clark’s exceptional skills and resilience, was a testament to her growing impact in the league.

From the tip-off, the Fever established their dominance, rattling off the first six points of the game. The Mercury called a timeout early, trying to regroup and counter the Fever’s aggressive start. The Fever’s initial surge was driven by sharp ball movement and effective play execution, with Clark making her presence felt.

Clark, known for her ability to perform under pressure, demonstrated her prowess throughout the game. Off a screen, she launched a difficult three-pointer, showcasing her skill and confidence. Despite the physical and mental challenges of the game, Clark remained focused, delivering a great finish that highlighted her potential.

Veteran Diana Taurasi, playing with the fourth fastest pace of play in the league, found synergy with Clark. The pace of the game suited Clark perfectly, allowing her to exploit transition opportunities and score quick buckets. Her shooting ability was on full display as she hit a series of three-pointers, proving her capacity to change the game with her scoring.

Mitchell also made a significant impact, delivering one of the year’s prettiest plays with a behind-the-back pass that set up a crucial score. The game was filled with dynamic plays and high energy, reflecting the competitive spirit of both teams.

The WNBA Friday Night Spotlight, presented by State Farm, not only highlighted individual talents like Clark but also emphasized the collective efforts of the teams. Tyrese Haliburton, who led the NBA in assists, was acknowledged for his contributions to the game, illustrating the importance of playmaking in basketball.

Clark’s performance was particularly notable when she executed a length-of-the-court pass, showcasing her court vision and playmaking ability. Head coach Christy Sides praised Clark’s ability to stay grounded and her continuous improvement as she adapts to the demands of the league.

The game also featured moments of physical play, including a notable incident involving Natasha Cloud. Clark’s aggressive playstyle was evident as she attacked the rim, drawing fouls and maintaining her composure despite the physicality.

As the game progressed, Clark continued to shine. Her step-back three-pointer in the third quarter was a testament to her shooting skill and confidence. Despite a few missed shots, Clark’s presence on the court was undeniable, and her contributions were crucial for the Fever.

Clark’s performance was not just about scoring but also about making smart plays and creating opportunities for her teammates. Her ability to read the defense and make decisive moves was a key factor in the Fever’s success.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo_f3PYacxk

In summary, Caitlin Clark’s performance in the WNBA Friday Night Spotlight was a showcase of her talent and potential. Her contributions on both ends of the floor were instrumental in the Fever’s victory, and her ability to perform under pressure highlighted her growing importance in the league. As the season continues, Clark’s impact is expected to be a key factor in the Fever’s success and her development as one of the league’s rising stars.

Caitlyn Clark: La Revolución en la WNBA y su Impacto en el Deporte Femenino

Caitlyn Clark, una de las jugadoras más destacadas del baloncesto femenino, está generando un impacto sin precedentes en la WNBA y en el deporte en general. Con una temporada llena de logros y cifras impresionantes, Clark no solo está destacando por su habilidad en la cancha, sino también por su influencia en el mercado y en la percepción del baloncesto femenino.

Un Fenómeno de Venta y Patrocinio

Desde su llegada a la WNBA como novata, Caitlyn Clark ha deslumbrado a los aficionados con su talento y carisma. Su camiseta del Indiana Fever, el equipo al que se unió esta temporada, se ha convertido en una de las más vendidas en el ámbito deportivo, agotándose en todas las tallas disponibles. Este éxito en las ventas ha sido impulsado por un respaldo significativo de Fanatics y la dirección de Michael Ruin, y demuestra el creciente interés en el baloncesto femenino.

Clark ha establecido un récord como la primera novata en la historia del Indiana Fever en lograr un triple-doble, un hito que subraya su excepcional rendimiento. Además, su contrato con Nike, valorado en 28 millones de dólares por ocho años, es el acuerdo de patrocinio más lucrativo para una jugadora de baloncesto femenino. Este contrato incluye el lanzamiento de su propia línea de zapatillas, consolidando aún más su estatus como una estrella emergente.

Reacción del Público y el Impacto en la WNBA

El impacto de Clark se extiende más allá de las ventas de camisetas y contratos de patrocinio. Las estadísticas revelan un notable aumento en la participación de los aficionados y en la visualización de contenido relacionado con la WNBA. La atención que Clark está atrayendo supera a la de muchas ligas profesionales, incluyendo la NFL. En lo que va de temporada, el Indiana Fever ha liderado la liga en asistencia tanto en juegos locales como fuera de casa, con más de 186,000 aficionados asistiendo a los partidos, lo que marca un aumento del 265% en comparación con el año anterior.

Además, el equipo ha establecido nuevos récords en ventas de mercancías en el Gamebridge Fieldhouse, con un incremento impresionante del 1,000% en las ventas netas. La presencia de Clark en las redes sociales y la cantidad de visualizaciones de videos han superado a las de equipos de la NBA, NHL y MLB, lo que resalta su enorme influencia en el deporte.

Desafíos y Controversias

A pesar de su éxito, Caitlyn Clark también ha enfrentado desafíos y controversias. Algunos han cuestionado si su ascenso meteórico se debe en parte a su raza, sugiriendo que las jugadoras de baloncesto femeninas que no reciben el mismo reconocimiento pueden estar enfrentando prejuicios. Clark ha manejado estas críticas con una actitud profesional y ha mantenido el enfoque en su juego y en su equipo.

En cuanto a su futuro, Clark ha sido mencionada como una potencial participante en la nueva liga de baloncesto femenino “Unrivaled”, que busca ofrecer a las jugadoras de la WNBA oportunidades durante la temporada baja sin necesidad de jugar en el extranjero. Aunque Clark no ha descartado la idea de unirse a esta liga, ha subrayado que su enfoque actual está en su desempeño en la WNBA y en ayudar a su equipo a mejorar su récord.

Conclusión

Caitlyn Clark está marcando un antes y un después en el baloncesto femenino, no solo por su habilidad en la cancha, sino también por el impacto que está teniendo en el mercado y en la percepción pública del deporte. Su éxito en ventas, contratos de patrocinio y en la visualización de contenido subraya el creciente interés y la importancia del baloncesto femenino. A medida que continúa su carrera, es probable que siga siendo una figura influyente, inspirando a futuras generaciones y elevando el perfil del baloncesto femenino en el ámbito deportivo global.

Iga Swiatek was one among a few big names dragged into a recent false doping accusation.

Iga Swiatek got her name dragged across various platforms, accusing her of doping, though no fault of hers. She was first accused of doping on Tuesday and the same accusations were deleted by the user. Then, the Polish anti-doping agency had to enter and defuse the situation on Wednesday.

A rollercoaster 24 hours for the Pole which all started from a singular post on X. The post revealed a report that stated that POLADA, Poland’s Anti-doping agency, was breached and its data was released. Furthermore, it said that the data contained the names of high-profile athletes who were caught doping. The names included that of Iga Swiatek and footballer Robert Lewandowski.

The whole tennis world was over watching the latest allegations, which lucidly pointed out that Swiatek had been taking erythropoietin, a hormone stimulant that produces red blood cells in the body, back in 2021. Even though it was three years ago, Swiatek was called out by the tennis fans.

However, as the tension started to rise, the post was taken down by the user. There was no apparent reason behind that, and the questioned players did not have much proof of the same as well. Despite that, POLADA decided to intervene.

Info presented in this post about Polish athletes is a fake. All of this posts are aimed to discredit Polish athletes, who don’t deserve that cause they compete clean. None of this athletes was positive and none of presented dates is matching doping controls which were conducted.

POLADA released a statement on X

Info presented in this post about Polish athletes is a fake. All of this posts are aimed to discredit Polish athletes, who don’t deserve that cause they compete clean. Non of this athletes was positive and non of presented dates is matching doping controls which were conducted.

— Polska Agencja Antydopingowa (@POLADA_official) August 14, 2024

The anti-doping agency confirmed that the news was fake and that the Polish players were clean. Moreover, for tennis, the ITIA has nothing against Swiatek on doping. This was not the only statement that POLADA released. They released another statement urging fans to not release misinformation on players.

Iga Swiatek reveals her method of handling negative comments on social media

Iga Swiatek is one of the best WTA players currently. She has achieved a lot of success at a very young age but is also forced to bear the brunt if she fails to even perform once. From comments to trolls, the Pole has had to deal with everything.

Una Entrevista Reveladora con Lucille O’Neal: Sobre la Trayectoria de Su Hijo, la Familia y Más Allá

En una conversación íntima y reveladora, Lucille O’Neal, madre de la leyenda del baloncesto Shaquille O’Neal, compartió sus pensamientos sobre diversos temas que han captado la atención de los medios y el público. La charla abarcó desde la trayectoria de su hijo en la NBA hasta su relación con sus nietos y el impacto de los medios en la vida familiar.

La Sorpresa del Draft: De Nueva York a Golden State

Lucille comenzó hablando sobre el draft en el que Shaquille O’Neal fue seleccionado por los Golden State Warriors. Expresó su sorpresa al recordar cómo, durante 16 años de carrera de su esposo en la NBA, no tenía idea de la ubicación de Golden State. “Cuando anunciaron Golden State, me pregunté, ¿dónde va mi hijo?,” recordó Lucille con una risa. A pesar de sus reservas iniciales sobre si Golden State sería el lugar adecuado para él, Lucille reconoció que a veces los planes no salen como uno espera. “Dios sabe lo que hace, y mira lo que pasó: la historia habla por sí misma.”

Clarificación Sobre Comentarios Controversiales

Recientemente, surgieron titulares que implicaban que Lucille había cuestionado la relación de su hijo con Shaie, una figura conocida en el ámbito mediático. Lucille tomó un momento para aclarar que sus comentarios no tenían intención negativa. “No quería que nadie pensara que estaba insinuando que ella no era la persona adecuada para Shaq. Lo que traté de explicar es que mi papel era darles espacio para que la relación se desarrollara o terminara por sí misma,” explicó. Agregó que, a pesar de la separación, el resultado positivo de la relación fue el nacimiento de sus hermosos nietos.

El Papel de la Madre y el Abandono del Consejo en Asuntos del Corazón

Cuando se trata de consejos sobre citas y relaciones, Lucille subrayó que ha aprendido a dar un paso atrás y permitir que su hijo tome sus propias decisiones. “No le doy consejos sobre relaciones porque es un hombre adulto. Mi papel como madre es apoyarlo, no dictarle,” dijo. Este enfoque refleja un respeto por la independencia de su hijo, aunque ella siempre está disponible si él busca su consejo.

La Alegría de Ser Abuela

Lucille también compartió su experiencia como abuela. Prefiere ser llamada “abuela” o “GG” (abreviatura de Great Grandma) en lugar de nombres más tradicionales. “Me gusta ser llamada ‘abuela’ y ‘GG’. Cada nombre tiene su propio toque especial y significado,” comentó. Además, su hijo Stephon, al tener un papel activo en la vida de sus nietos, también ha influido en cómo se le conoce, creando el apodo “Sashi” que ha sido adoptado por amigos y familiares.

El Enigma de las Fotos de los Nietos

Cuando se trata de compartir fotos de sus nietos en las redes sociales, Lucille es cautelosa. Prefiere esperar a que sus hijos decidan cuándo y cómo compartir imágenes de sus familias. “Cada uno de mis hijos tiene su propia forma de manejar las redes sociales y la exposición de su familia,” explicó. Lucille ha optado por no publicar nada para evitar conflictos y respetar la privacidad que sus hijos desean mantener.

Preparativos y Enfoque del Programa “Raising Fame”

En cuanto al programa “Raising Fame,” Lucille habló sobre la preparación para las entrevistas. Destacó la importancia de hacer que los invitados se sientan cómodos al viajar para encontrarse con ellos en sus propios entornos. “Queremos que se sientan como si estuvieran en una conversación normal, no en una entrevista formal,” dijo. Este enfoque ha ayudado a crear un ambiente relajado y auténtico para las entrevistas.

Reflexión Final

A lo largo de la conversación, Lucille O’Neal mostró una profunda comprensión y amor por su familia, así como una habilidad notable para manejar la atención de los medios con gracia. Su enfoque equilibrado en la crianza de sus hijos y su rol como abuela refleja su compromiso con el bienestar de su familia mientras navega por las complejidades de la vida pública.

 

Carlos Alcaraz almost smashed his racket in the Olympic Gold medal match, but refrained from it at that time.

Carlos Alcaraz took his anger out on the racket (via IMAGO/X)

Carlos Alcaraz smashed his tennis racket after going down 3-1 in the deciding set against Gael Monfils. The Spaniard was playing in his first match since losing the Olympic Gold Medal match to Novak Djokovic.

Alcaraz has struggled with his temper, particularly in matches where he is trailing. The 21-year-old nearly smashed his racket in the Gold Medal match against Novak Djokovic earlier this month, but his emotions got the better of him here.

WOW, Alcaraz obliterates his racket after Monfils holds for 3-1 😳 pic.twitter.com/uiKWvvkFkb

— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) August 16, 2024

The match has spanned two days due to weather conditions. Alcaraz won the first set 6-4 but was down 3-1 in the tiebreak when rain interrupted play.

The rain delay seemed to favor Gael Monfils, who went on to win the tiebreak and led Alcaraz in the third set. The Spaniard was on the ropes against Monfils and needed a desperate comeback to stay in the match. However, it was to no avail as he lost the third set 6-4 to the Frenchman, eventually crashing out of the tournament.

Carlos Alcaraz’s lead-up to the US Open

Carlos Alcaraz hopes to put the Olympic defeat behind him and begin his bid for a second US Open title later this month. The Spaniard won the first of his four Grand Slam titles at Flushing Meadows in 2022.
Carlos Alcaraz celebrating ( Via US Open)
However, Alcaraz was unable to defend his title last year, losing to Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals. He withdrew from the National Bank Open due to a scheduling conflict with the Paris Olympics.