Carlos Alcaraz succumbed to a shock defeat at the hands of Gael Monfils in his Cincinnati second-round clash.
Alcaraz, who even dismantled a racket, was unable to adapt to the quick conditions as they left him flummoxed on the court.
The world number three was leading in his first match since defeat to Novak Djokovic in the Olympics final before play was suspended due to rain.
But Monfils came out of the blocks firing on Friday as he stole the second set before hanging onto his early break in the decider, eventually winning 4-6 7-6(5) 6-4.
Carlos Alcaraz says the centre court is different at the Cincinnati Open
The pace of the courts at the Cincinnati Open has been a hot topic of conversation throughout the week.
Jack Draper claimed they were the fastest he had ever played on, and Carlos Alcaraz offered his thoughts after his second-round loss.
“Honestly, it was really tough for me,” Alcaraz said in a press conference. “I felt like it was the worst match that I have ever played in my career – I couldn’t play.
“I had been practicing really well in the previous days, I was feeling great, hitting the ball clean, moving well.
“I felt like it was another sport that [we were] playing on the centre court than the others. The balls were faster [and] they bounced much more than the other courts.
“I warmed up before the match and it was a totally different feeling, I don’t know why. This match was impossible to win, that’s all.”
Race against the clock for Alcaraz to prepare for the US Open
Take nothing away from the veteran Gael Monfils, who, unlike Alcaraz, was able to adjust to the pace of the court.
But it is a worrying time for the 21-year-old, who will lack match practice on the North American hard courts before heading to New York.
Alcaraz can achieve something incredible if he is successful at this year’s US Open, having added the French Open and another Wimbledon trophy to his cabinet in 2024.
But he now faces a race against the clock to best prepare for the all-important American slam.
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