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14 Jul 2025 | 18.19
All that is beautiful has a beginning and an end. The incredible streak of 24 consecutive victories by Carlos Alcaraz, which earned him the titles at Rome, Roland Garros, and Queen’s, came to an end in the final of Wimbledon, thanks to an unstoppable Jannik Sinner. Despite taking the first set, the Italian always seemed to be ahead of the Spaniard in the final in London, as Alcaraz himself confirmed on several occasions. Even though he bid farewell with his head held high, a defeat in a Grand Slam final is always hard to digest.
Therefore, we analyze how the Murcian reacted when he lost an important match. Did he bounce back strongly or did it take him time to recover his level? To conduct this analysis, six matches have been selected in which Alcaraz suffered a significant defeat, either by the opponent, the venue, or both.
Defeat in the Wimbledon 2022 quarterfinals against Sinner (1-6, 4-6, 7-6, 3-6)
The first encounter between the two best players of the moment took place at Wimbledon 2022 when neither of them yet dominated the circuit, and Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic still reigned. In that match, the first one for the Spaniard on the Center Court of London, the Italian was clearly superior. After that defeat, Alcaraz landed in New York at a Grand Slam he will never forget. There, he avenged himself against the Italian in a quarterfinal duel to remember after five hours and 18 minutes (6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 7-5, 6-3). And a few days later, he would lift his first Grand Slam title and become the youngest number one in history.
Defeat in the Roland Garros 2023 semifinals against Djokovic (3-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1)
That match will be remembered for the cramps that prevented Alcaraz from battling against Novak Djokovic in a Roland Garros where he was the favorite. But the pressure and the obsession to win got the best of him. Nevertheless, that defeat marked a turning point in Alcaraz's career, and he learned to manage the crucial moments better mentally. It was evident a month later when he paid back the Serbian in the Wimbledon final. There, the youngster from El Palmar learned the lesson and was able to withstand the pressure to claim his first title in London in a closely contested five-set final.
Defeat in the 2024 Australian Open quarterfinals against Zverev (1-6, 3-6, 7-6, 4-6)
In his first opportunity to make a mark in Australia, he experienced one of his disconnects. In a tournament where he was seen as a favorite and aimed to conquer Melbourne, he faced reality and was clearly inferior to the German. After that defeat, he had a scare at the Rio ATP 500, where he twisted his ankle. Fortunately, he recovered in time and a few weeks later, he defended his title in Indian Wells.
Defeat in the 2025 Australian Open quarterfinals against Djokovic (6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 4-6)
Once again in Australia, the Spaniard aspired to become the youngest player to achieve the four Grand Slams, but this time he was thwarted by an injured Novak Djokovic, who managed to get into the Murcian's head and eliminate him in the quarterfinals. After this setback, Alcaraz traveled to Rotterdam and claimed his first title on Dutch indoor courts, although his American hardcourt swing was inconsistent, surrendering the Indian Wells title and exiting in the first round of Miami.
Defeat in the 2023 Cincinnati final against Djokovic (7-5, 6-7, 6-7)
For many, one of the best Masters 1000 finals ever witnessed. That nocturnal battle in Ohio, a month after the Wimbledon 2023 final, will be remembered as the prime example of the fight between two generations. Alcaraz had a championship point, but Djokovic held on and clinched the victory. This match brought Alcaraz to tears. Initially, it did not affect his arrival in New York, where he reached the semifinals, but in another match characterized by disconnects, Daniil Medvedev defeated him.
Defeat in the 2024 Paris Olympics final against Djokovic (7-6, 7-6)
Undoubtedly, the most painful defeat in Alcaraz's early career, and the hardest to forget. The Murcian showed up at the Olympic Games after winning at Roland Garros, at the same venue a few weeks earlier, and defending his reign at Wimbledon. After falling in doubles with Rafa Nadal, he had an historic chance to achieve Olympic gold, but Djokovic's desire to become the most decorated player of all time prevailed, leading to a final where Alcaraz ended up in tears once more. That Olympic experience left him exhausted, both physically and mentally, and he traveled to the United States more out of obligation than conviction. There, the most frustrated and distressed version of the Murcian emerged. He broke a racket for the first time in a match, after losing to Monfils in the first round of Cincinnati, and exited in the second round of the US Open after failing to respond to Botic Van de Zandschulp. It was one of the first instances when Alcaraz stated that he did not want to pick up a racket for a while.
This is the Spanish player's record after his most challenging defeats. And afterward, there have been all kinds of consequences. Two Grand Slams (US Open 2022 and Wimbledon 2023) and a sharp decline (the 2024 North American hardcourt swing) are the best examples. So, it remains to be seen how he copes with this loss to Sinner, although it seems that only two options exist: a second title in New York or a collapse. But one thing is clear, with Alcaraz, anything can happen.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Así ha reaccionado Alcaraz tras caer en grandes citas: dos títulos de Grand Slams y una dura desconexión
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