CINCINNATI - Carlos Alcaraz let loose his frustrations with a violent racquet smash in a 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 defeat at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Open that he called the "worst match" of his career.
The reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion could not match the wily skills of 37-year-old French opponent Gael Monfils, two decades in the game and a threat to any young gun.
"It was the worst match that I ever played in my career," Alcaraz said. "I couldn't play.
"I don't know what happened. Honestly, I couldn't, I couldn't control myself. I couldn't be better. It was impossible to win, and that's all."
The Spaniard added: "I came here thinking I'm going to feel good. I'm going to put in a good tennis, because I know how to play on this court."
Alcaraz said he had never before broken a racquet in anger but this match was the exception.
The ATP number three and 2023 Cincinnati runner-up heads to the US Open starting a week from Monday without a hardcourt win and only one second-round summer cement match in his legs.
"It's really difficult to find some goodstuffs from this match -- I want to forget it and try to move on to New York," he said.
"I'll try to practice well, to get used to those courts. And I will forget this match."
Monfils then started a third-round catch-up match only hours after his victory, but ran out of puff as Holger Rune scraped out a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback victory.