ATP Carlos Alcaraz Alberto Lledó US Open 2026

Alcaraz's physical trainer critiques the US Open: "It's not healthy for an athlete"

Andrés Tomás Rico - 10 Sep 2026
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Alcaraz's fitness coach criticizes the US Open: "It's not healthy for an athlete." Photo: Getty Images

A day and a half after the epic battle played by Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals of the US Open, in which the American defeated the Spaniard for the first time in the fifth set of the super tiebreak (6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7)), the tennis world is still amazed by the physical prowess both players displayed during the four hours and thirty minutes the match lasted.

The US Open session was extended after all matches on Arthur Ashe went to the final set

In fact, the duel ended at 3:34 AM in New York because it started after 11:00 PM, following the extension of all previous matches on Arthur Ashe Court, even those from the morning session, which also went to the final set. First, Aryna Sabalenka and Linda Noskova, which was decided in the super tiebreak of the third set; then, Frances Tiafoe against Alex Michelsen, which also went to the super in the fifth set, while the match between Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro also went to the final set.

However, this reasoning seems not to have convinced one of Carlos Alcaraz's closest members, specifically Alberto Lledó, his physical trainer since his debut on the circuit, who asserted through a story posted on Instagram that starting a five-set match late at night is not ideal for an elite athlete.

“Sometimes, I know (and I say this humbly) that performance is not synonymous with health,” Lledó wrote on Instagram. “We must adapt to any circumstances, and those who do so first will gain a competitive advantage, but starting a tennis match of 5 sets at 11 PM is not healthy for an athlete.”
 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El preparador físico de Alcaraz carga contra el US Open: "No es saludable para un atleta"