“This defeat hurts me a lot” – Alcaraz rues loss to Nicolas Jarry

The Spaniard was beaten by Jarry in straight sets in the semi-finals of the Argentina Open

Carlos Alcaraz, Buenos Aires, 2024 (Imago / Panoramic)

February 18, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz is desperately looking for his best form. After a disappointing loss in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, the Spaniard fell again before the final in Buenos Aires, beaten by Nicolas Jarry, the world No 21, in straight sets in a semi-final where he was far from his best. Alcaraz is yet to win a title in 2024.

If the Spaniard is used to putting his defeats into perspective, this time he seemed particularly dejected in his post-match press conference. Unhappy with his level of play but also with his attitude, Juan Carlos Ferrero’s protégé is still finding himself.

COMPARED TO 2023, THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPROVEMENT
Carlos Alcaraz

“It’s a tough loss for me. It hurts me a lot,” the Spaniard said.

“There is a lot of room for improvement. I played some good tennis, but I have to raise the bar, I’m far from my true level. It was a complicated tournament, the first on clay in a long time,” he told reporters.

Alcaraz won his first two meetings against the Chilean last year but could not find a way past Jarry this time around.

“With Jarry, it was difficult to get into the game. I had many opportunities that I didn’t take. When you waste them against players like him, it costs you dearly.”

Competing in Rio next week, where he was runner-up last year, the 20-year-old has already pointed out his areas for improvement.

“It’s been a difficult week but I’ve retained a lot of things to improve. Compared to 2023, there has been no improvement. For me, this is a very important element.

“My level of play is based on concentration, my attitude and my energy. In those games, I’ve had a lot of ups and downs that I can’t afford.”

He will open his tournament against Brazilian Thiago Monteiro, ranked 118th in the world.