Carlos Alcaraz returns to action this week after his disappointing Australian Open exit with a highly-anticipated rematch against Botic van de Zandschulp.
Losing his quarter-final clash with Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz’s serving position confused Andy Roddick, with the Spaniard having lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
Djokovic stormed to a 50th Grand Slam semi-final with the success, but went on to retire hurt against Alexander Zverev.
World number one Jannik Sinner then beat the German in the final, having also won the Australian Open and indeed the US Open in 2024.
Alcaraz also suffered a disappointing defeat in New York last time out, with the third seed exiting after just two rounds.
Carlos Alcaraz left confused after 2024 US Open loss to Botic van de Zandschulp
And it was indeed his upcoming opponent Van de Zandschulp who issued that defeat, easing past Alcaraz 6-1, 7-5, 6-4.
Asked how he felt on the court in his post-match press conference in New York, Alcaraz responded: “I don’t know what to say right now.
“I mean, 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, you know. He didn’t make a lot of mistakes that I thought he was going to do.
“So I was, you know, confusing 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 of getting into the match or trying to give myself chances.
“So, you know, what can I say? I didn’t feel well hitting the ball. I think I made a lot of mistakes. When I wanted to come back or I think I wanted to come back, it was too late.”
Botic van de Zandschulp wins ‘unbelievably tough’ match against Carlos Alcaraz
Van de Zandschulp also suffered an early loss at the first Grand Slam of the season, losing to home favourite Alex de Minaur in round one.
But he may just remain confident of another Alcaraz shock this week, with the pair drawn together in the opening round of the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam.
The Dutchman’s US Open victory was even more impressive given that Alcaraz had only just won the French Open and Wimbledon, along with losing the Olympic final.
Asked what it was like to take on the Spaniard, Van de Zandschulp replied: “Yeah, I think he’s playing unbelievably aggressive.
“He’s trying to come forward a lot. Yeah, today I tried to beat him to the punch a little bit there. I tried to come in a lot to the net so he wasn’t able to.
| Year | Winner | Tournament | Round | Surface | Score |
| 2024 | Botic van de Zandschulp | US Open | Round of 64 | Outdoor Hard | 6-1, 7-5 ,6-4 |
| 2022 | Carlos Alcaraz | Basel | Round of 16 | Indoor Hard | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2021 | Carlos Alcaraz | Australian Open | Round of 128 | Outdoor Hard | 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 |
“Yeah, I think I did a good job there. But, yeah, he’s someone who can do everything. When he gets a shot on the forehand, he can play the drop shot. He can, yeah, go for the winner, go inside-out, go inside-in.
“Yeah, I think he’s doing… he can do everything with the tennis ball. That’s why facing him is unbelievably tough.”
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