US Open 2024: Carlos Alcaraz's shock exit, Rafael Nadal's absence leads to Spanish history being made for all the wrong reasons

Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz made a shocking exit from the 2024 US Open after losing in straight sets to 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp. With Rafael Nadal also absent, this marked the first time no Spanish players advanced to the third round of a men's singles slam.

Fresh off his Paris Olympics silver-winning feat, Carlos Alcaraz skipped the Canadian Open due to fatigue and faced an upset by Gael Monfils in the opening round of the 2024 Cincinnati Masters. At the 2024 US Open, the former World No. 1 advanced to the first round after ousting Li Tu but was stunned by Botic van de Zandschulp in 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 in the following round.

His unexpected loss and Rafael Nadal's absence marked the first time in the 21st century that a Spanish tennis player will not compete in the Men's Singles Slam. (via tennis journalist José Morgado's X post)

Carlos Alcaraz has broken his 15-match Grand Slam unbeaten streak after defending his Wimbledon title against Olympic gold medalist, Novak Djokovic.

Though Nadal has a deep connection with the US Open, he withdrew from the tournament, citing his inability to compete at a high level. His Flushing Meadows absence marked his third Grand Slam withdrawal of 2024.

"I will miss those electric and special night sessions in NYC at Ashe, but I don’t think I would be able to give my 100% this time. Thanks to all my US Fans in particular, will miss you all and will see you another time," Nadal wrote in his Instagram post.

He will next compared at the Laver Cup in Berlin, slated for September 20-22, 2024.

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"It was a fight against myself, in my mind, during the match" - Carlos Alcaraz reflects on mental battle after US Open exit

Carlos Alcraraz talked about the mental struggles of fighting against himself in the head after his loss to Botic van de Zandschulp in a post-game interview. He said (via ESPN):

"It was a fight against myself, in my mind, during the match. In tennis, you are playing against someone that wants the same as you -- to win the match -- and you have to be as ... calm as you can, just to think better in the match and try to do good things."

"Today I was playing against the opponent, and I was playing against myself, in my mind. A lot of emotions that I couldn't control."

Carlos Alcaraz also addressed the tight schedule of tennis and the importance of taking breaks before big tournaments, something he promised to implement in the future. The 21-year-old had taken a break after his Olympic, Roland Garros and Wimbledon exploits but he felt that he didn't rest enough.