Carlos Alcaraz has opened up on the feeling of letting down his country after representing Spain.
Carlos Alcaraz said he felt like he had let down his country Spain (Image: YouTube/MoluscoTV/Getty)
Carlos Alcaraz believed he let his country down after missing out on a gold medal with Spain at the 2024 Olympics. The 21-year-old competed in the singles and doubles tournaments at the Paris Games but lost in the gold medal match to Novak Djokovic. The pair played out a close contest where Djokovic prevailed 7-6, 7-6 at Roland Garros and Alcaraz became overwhelmed with emotion, breaking down in tears in a post-match interview with ex-tennis player Alex Corretja. Seven months down the line, the Murcia native revealed his main objective for the year was to claim a gold medal and the pain of losing was too much to bear.
“The truth is that it was a difficult moment because my objective from the beginning of the year was to win the gold medal,” Alcaraz said in an interview with YouTube channel MoluscoTV. “And that week I felt the need to do it. In the end that feeling can be wrong – to feel the need to do something – so in that moment when I didn’t do it, obviously after a defeat, 10-15 minutes after an objective you haven’t been able to complete, it’s difficult to put everything in perspective.
“And in that moment I felt that I had let my country down, that I had let the Spanish people down, for not winning the gold medal that everyone was expecting. That’s why I reacted like that, letting my feelings go, and obviously speaking to the cameras, expressing myself in that moment, and showing to my country and to the world how I felt, I think it was necessary.”
Alcaraz has already won four Grand Slam titles in his promising career – winning twice at the French Open and Wimbledon. The Spaniard also spent 36 weeks as world No.1 after becoming the youngest player to achieve the feat at the age of 19 in September 2022.
Carlos Alcaraz lost in the gold medal match of the Olympics 2024 (Image: Getty)
Still, he faces a long road ahead to catch up the Big Three of tennis – Djokovic, Roger Federer and his idol Rafael Nadal – who collected a combined 66 Grand Slam titles between them.
Alcaraz has conceded that it would be “practically impossible” to replicate or even emulate their achievements and the youngster doesn’t believe their iconic rivalry will be repeated.
“They have set the bar for tennis and what can be done at an astronomical level,” he added. “There are many players capable of winning Grand Slams, of beating the best. Young players, including myself, who can really be fighting for great things.
“But getting to the point of that rivalry between Rafa, Federer and Djokovic, the truth is that it will be practically impossible to repeat that.
“We will have our battles; I will have my battles with great players, but a rivalry like theirs will be practically impossible.”
News
Justin Baldoni claims Blake Lively tried to ban him from ‘It Ends With Us’ premiere in ‘humiliating’ diss
Justin Baldoni claims his “It Ends With Us” co-star Blake Lively attempted to ban him and his Wayfarer Studios team from the film’s August premiere amid their feud. According to the actor’s $250 million lawsuit against the New York Times, which he filed on Tuesday, Lively allegedly “initially refused to permit his attendance” at the event to “undermine” Baldoni’s role […]
Emma Raducanu’s former coach steps in to advise Novak Djokovic after big upset
Novak Djokovic suffered a surprise defeat at Indian Wells. Novak Djokovic was dumped out of Indian Wells in the second round (Image: Getty) Emma Raducanu’s former coach has urged Novak Djokovic to improve his serve if he is to return to the top of elite tennis. Dmitry Tursunov believes the 24-time Grand Slam champion must hit more aces and […]
Jack Draper writes classy message to opponent after Indian Wells win
Jack Draper defeated Jenson Brooksby to reach the last 16 in Indian Wells. Jack Draper wrote a classy message for his opponent in Indian Wells (Image: Tennis TV) Jack Draper showed his class after advancing to the round of 16 in Indian Wells, as he wrote a kind message to his opponent on the camera lens. The […]
Novak Djokovic suspicions raised after Serb’s behaviour in Indian Wells press conference
Novak Djokovic suffered his third successive defeat after bowing out of Indian Wells via a shock loss to Botic van de Zandschlup. Novak Djokovic was spotted acting a little differently in his latest press conference (Image: Getty) Concerns have been raised about Novak Djokovic’s mental state after he was seen “smiling too much” after suffering a shock defeat at Indian […]
Emma Raducanu causing ‘outrage’ at Wimbledon as members complain about star’s behaviour
Emma Raducanu has been causing a stir at Wimbledon’s All England Club. Emma Raducanu has reportedly been enraging members of the All England Club (Image: Getty) Emma Raducanu has reportedly been antagonising members of Wimbledon’s All England Club, who have accused her of “arrogance” for breaking one of the venue’s long-standing rules. Players are required to follow an […]
Novak Djokovic shares Andy Murray plan after Indian Wells exit as alarming admission made
The Serb crashed out of Indian Wells in his opening match on Saturday night. Novak Djokovic has discussed his future working with Andy Murray (Image: ATP Media / Tennis TV) Novak Djokovic has revealed he’ll sit down with Andy Murray to discuss the pair’s coaching partnership following the Serb’s early exit at Indian Wells. The all-time record Grand Slam […]
End of content
No more pages to load
Leave a Reply