Carlos Alcaraz demonstrated resilience following his US Open title defense, which ended at 3:34 a.m. in a marathon five-set match against Ben Shelton. Despite the defeat after four hours and 28 minutes of play, Alcaraz was seen smiling as he walked through the Arthur Ashe tunnel, showcasing his positive outlook.
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This tournament marked Alcaraz’s return to competition after more than five months due to a wrist injury that caused daily pain, preventing him from defending his French Open title and competing at Wimbledon. He admitted uncertainty about participating in the US Open until just a week prior. "The quarter-final was great - it was a gift for me," Alcaraz told BBC Sport. "I suffered, but I enjoyed it, and that's why I smiled when I walked off the court because I missed that feeling."
The match against Shelton became the latest finish in US Open history, with multiple late-night games this year, including those involving Alexander Zverev and Venus Williams. Alcaraz voiced concerns about the late scheduling, suggesting it would be better for matches to conclude by 11 p.m. for the benefit of fans.
At 23, Alcaraz is among several players who dealt with significant injuries this season. Britain's Jack Draper faced an arm injury that ended his season, while rival Jannik Sinner missed the US Open due to a knee issue. Alcaraz acknowledged the need to skip upcoming tournaments to maintain his mental and physical health.
He will represent Team Europe at the Laver Cup in London from September 25 to 27. Team Europe is led by captain Yannick Noah, while the United States team is overseen by Andre Agassi. "When you have your teammates, the best in the world, by your side, it's a weird feeling but it's beautiful," Alcaraz said about the competition. "We played like our lives depend on it. That's why the Laver Cup is so good to watch."
Alcaraz and Italy's Jannik Sinner have established a notable rivalry, sharing eight Grand Slam titles between them from 2024 to 2025. They have faced each other only once this year, with Sinner winning the Monte Carlo Masters final to rise to world number one. Alcaraz expressed his appreciation for Sinner, stating, "I miss him, I miss seeing him around, playing against him. He pushes me to be a better player." He anticipates that fans look forward to more matchups between them.