In a surprising turn of events at the Cincinnati Open, Carlos Alcaraz, currently ranked third in the world, faced an unexpected defeat at the hands of veteran French player Gael Monfils. This loss comes shortly after Alcaraz’s challenging match against Novak Djokovic at the Olympic Games, where the young Spaniard was still reeling from the impact of his previous loss.

Despite being a strong contender for the title, Alcaraz struggled to find his rhythm against the 37-year-old Monfils, who is ranked 46th in the world. The match was intense, with Monfils managing to push Alcaraz to a tiebreaker in the second set and eventually securing a win with a final score of 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.

This defeat marked a low point in Alcaraz’s career, with the young star admitting that it was one of the worst performances he has ever delivered in professional tennis. His frustration was palpable when, during a crucial moment in the third set, he lost control and smashed his racket after failing to break Monfils’ serve.

Monfils, who hasn’t reached the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Open since 2011, took full advantage of Alcaraz’s faltering performance, showcasing his experience and determination. With this victory, Monfils became the second-oldest player to defeat a top-three ranked opponent, following Roger Federer’s achievement in 2019.

Alcaraz’s reaction to the loss was one of confusion and disappointment. In a post-match interview, he confessed that he was unable to control his emotions during the match and felt that the game was simply unwinnable for him. Despite the setback, Alcaraz remains focused on his upcoming challenge at the US Open, where he hopes to redeem himself.

This match serves as a reminder that even the most promising talents can have off days, and for Alcaraz, it’s a lesson in resilience as he prepares for the next stage of his career.