Blockx on the demands of the circuit: "We are not robots"

Alexander Blockx is part of an emerging golden generation in the tennis world that aims to revolutionize the ATP circuit and is showing increasing signs of being able to do so. The Belgian appeared at a press conference during the US Open 2026 after earning his ticket to the round of 16 thanks to his victory over Flavio Cobolli and shared some interesting insights.

Ranked 34th in the world, the qualitative leap of this cold and calculating Belgian player was cemented by his excellent performance in Madrid, after already showing promise in Monte Carlo, where he won three matches. With deep and powerful shots, good mobility, and an offensive mindset, Alexander Blockx seems to have reached a level of tennis sufficient to trouble anyone during his inspired weeks. He is experiencing this at the US Open 2026, where he will look to continue defying all expectations.

Here’s what Alexander Blockx said after reaching the round of 16 at the US Open 2026

Assessment of his victory over Cobolli

"I think it was a great battle. In the first set, we both played really well. Flavio took his opportunities, went for them, and in the end, it paid off for him to take the first set. I kept fighting as much as I could on each point, and finally, the break went my way in the second set. From there, I felt that the momentum shifted and I gained a lot of confidence."

"I saw he was a bit mentally affected in the third set, which helped me draw even more energy. But I knew that once I came back from the break after the third set, it would be like starting a new match. I think we both showed incredible tennis towards the end. I was lucky to finally get the win."

Complaints from players about noise at the US Open

"They are not wrong: today there was a lot of noise. At the beginning, I felt it was pretty good, but towards the end, the crowd got really loud, especially on Flavio's side. So I tried to get more involved in that atmosphere to release my frustration somehow, and I think after those moments, I became even more energized."

"That helped me be even more aggressive with my game. I just tried to focus on the positives. Aside from that, I really enjoyed playing here."

The key to Blockx's maturity and his goal at the US Open

"I've had some tough losses lately, but I've learned from them. Today I think I was able to handle those moments better than a couple of weeks ago."

"For example, against Flavio in Cincinnati, where we also played a great match, towards the end I still don't know exactly what happened to me. I think I just got a bit blocked."

"I needed to play matches and gain experience in these types of situations. I think that's something I took with me, and I managed it much better today."

"This victory means a lot. My goal for this tournament was to reach the second week of the US Open, and I've already achieved that. I believe I'm playing good tennis, and each match is getting better."

Blockx talks about Cerúndolo, his next opponent

"To be honest, I was quite surprised he beat Fritz. During my match, I saw on the scoreboard that Francisco had beaten Taylor, and I was a bit surprised because Taylor was two sets up and had a break advantage."

"You don't expect him to lose in a situation like that. Tennis can be strange sometimes. Even so, Francisco is also an incredible player. We have played once before, on clay. Now the conditions are completely different. We both have a lot of confidence, and I think we're playing good tennis, so it will be an exciting match."

Blockx highlights the physical and mental toughness of the season

The Belgian also focused on the calendar and the accumulated wear and tear that players endure throughout the season. In his view, arriving in peak form for the last Grand Slam of the year after performing at the highest level in previous tournaments presents a particularly significant challenge.

"Definitely, the season is very long. All the players who have performed well in the lead-up tournaments find it tougher here. We've seen this with Arthur Fils, who played incredibly well in Montreal and Cincinnati, and then perhaps arrived a bit tired. The same goes for Flavio."

"He had a great performance in Cincinnati, and perhaps he would have been fresher if he had lost earlier, but you never know. You can't predict it. I think we are all human, not robots. Each week is tough."

"Especially in a Grand Slam, everything becomes even more physical. It's the last one of the year, and mentally, you have to stay within the tournament and remain completely focused."

It is important to keep an eye on Alexander Blockx for the remainder of the US Open 2026 because he is the typical player who fears nothing and no one, and when he is confident, he is capable of playing nearly unbreakable tennis. At just 21 years old, he promises great excitement for the future, but he wants to show that his moment has already arrived.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Blockx, sobre la exigencia del circuito: "No somos robots"