Carlos extended his incredible run at Majors, becoming the youngest player to lift a trophy on every surface! However, Alcaraz could not extend his year-end top-2 streak, finishing the season behind Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev.
The Spaniard claimed 4000 ATP points at Roland Garros and Wimbledon alone. Still, it was not enough to make him the ATP throne contender or wrap up the year as Sinner’s closest rival. The reason for that lies in too many defeats against the rivals from outside the top-30.
When Carlos plays at his best and enjoys on the court, it’s almost impossible to challenge him. However, his level dropped too many times this year, and he will work hard to improve that in the season ahead of us.
If we exclude a retirement due to injury, the young gun dropped only two matches against the rivals ranked outside the top-35. However, he has been a top-10 player for two and a half years, and we always expect the best from him. Let’s examine Alcaraz’s worst defeats od 2024.
Nicolas Jarry dethrones Alcaraz in Buenos Aires
Alcaraz kicked off the 2023 season in Buenos Aires in February, lifting a trophy. The Spaniard could not defend it this year. He reached the semi-final after beating two rivals from outside the top-130. Carlos faced world no. 21 Nicolas Jarry and suffered a 6-3, 7-6 defeat.
The Chilean sealed the deal in an hour and 55 minutes, taking four points more than world no. 2 and moving over the top in straight sets. Carlos played better behind the second serve but lost the edge in the pivotal moments.
He converted one of four break points and suffered two breaks in set number two to move into his sixth ATP final. Nicolas hit more winners and unforced errors. Also, he drew almost 30 mistakes from world no. 2 and made the difference.
The Chilean forged the lead in the shortest and most extended rallies, and the Spaniard responded in the mid-range ones. Alcaraz made a perfect start behind the initial shot, providing four holds at love. Did he used that momentum to make a push on the return? No!
Jarry stayed on the positive side and stepped in at 4-4. He reached a deuce before the defending champion held with a service winner. Carlos stood two points away from securing a break and a set in the tenth game. However,
They introduced a tie break, and the Spaniard started it with a double fault. Alcaraz lost two more points on serve and fell 4-1 behind. Jarry landed two winners for 6-1 and converted the second set point when his rival netted a routine forehand.
Carlos recovered and secured a break at the beginning of the second set. Nicolas kept his composure and seized the second break point in the second game after a deep return, erasing the deficit and gathering a boost. The Spaniard faced another break point at 2-3.
He saved it and held for 3-3 before reaching a deuce on the return in the next one. Nicolas closed it and stepped in on the return at 3-4. Carlos played against a break point and netted a forehand to lose serve and move closer to the exit door.
Jarry served for a career-best victory in game nine and faced a break point. He denied it with a booming serve and earned a match point, squandering it with a double fault. Alcaraz landed a lob winner for the second break point. Was it good enough to prolong the battle.
No, as Nicolas denied it with a smash winner and generated the second match point. The Chilean forced the Spaniard’s mistake, sealing the deal and moving into the final.
Jack Draper ends Carlos’ Queen’s title defense dreams
Carlos’ fourth-worst loss of the season (rivals’ ranking-wise) came to world no. 31 Jack Draper at Queen’s, losing another title he claimed a year ago. Two young guns met in the second round, and the Briton ousted the Spaniard 7-6, 6-3 in an hour and 39 minutes.
Alcaraz conquered Roland Garros a few weeks earlier and came a bit late with his grass-swing preparations. Draper took full advantage of that, prevailing in the opener and securing a break in the second set that carried him over the top.
The home favorite lost 16 points in his games and defended the only break point offered to his opponent. Carlos felt the pressure and suffered one break in the second set that sent him home. Jack reduced the number of errors and had the upper hand from the baseline.
Carlos survived the opening game of the match, holding after six minutes. They served well in the remaining ones and introduced a tie break. Alcaraz missed a forehand in the first point and dropped another point on serve at 0-3. Jack created five set points.
He landed a service winner at 6-3, claiming the opener in 57 minutes. They served well early in the second set and stayed neck and neck. Jack stepped in on the return at 3-2 and landed a volley winner for a break chance. The home favorite cracked a backhand down the line return winner, moving 4-2 in front.
Alcaraz could have broke back in the next game. Draper saved a break point with a serve & volley combo and forced the rival’s mistake for a pivotal hold and 5-2. Carlos served to stay in the match in game eight and faced two match points.
He saved them with service winners and blew away four game points before facing the third match point. The Spaniard saved it with a service winner and landed another for a hold. Jack served for the win at 5-3 and lost the opening two points.
The Briton bounced back with service winners and fired an ace down the T line for a match point. Draper converted it after Alcaraz’s forehand error, earning a notable win and sailing into the quarter-final.
