Carlos Alcaraz admits he was brought back to earth by cramping in his arms and legs as the top seed exited in the French Open semi-final on Friday 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 to wily campaigner Novak Djokovic.
The 20-year-old whose world No. 1 ranking is now under threat, gave away 16 years to Djokovic, now a win away from the all-time best record of 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
The Spanish youngster – billed as the heir-apparent to Rafael Nadal – will go back to the drawing board with his team to try and work out where it all went wrong at mid-match against the match-tough Serb.
“I disappointed myself honestly, coming to this match with great feeling, feeling great physically and, cramping at the end of the second set, beginning of the third set,’ Alcaraz said.
“It was really disappointing. But these kinds of things happen, and I have to deal with them.”
The youngster explained his downfall after defeating Djokovic in their only previous meeting.
“The first and second sets were really, really intense, and I started to cramp, you know, in my arm.
“At the beginning of the third. I started to cramp every part of my body, not only the legs.. the arms, every part of the legs.
“It was really tough for me to move in the third set – in the fourth set let’s say I had a little chance.
“My full body started to cramp. I’ve had cramps before, but not at this level.
“I’ve never felt tension like I did in that match.”
