PARIS — Carlos Alcaraz, emotional and unable to fight back tears, needed a moment to gather himself after losing to Novak Djokovic in the men’s tennis singles final at the Paris Olympics on Sunday.
There would be no youngest-ever winner, and Rafael Nadal would not duplicate his achievement of earning a gold medal for Spain in his debut in singles.
Carlos settled for silver following a 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) loss to Djokovic at Court Philippe Chatrier, citing the strain of representing his country.
Alcaraz Says Pressure Of Playing For Spain Got To Him In Loss To Djokovic In Olympics Final
“I think I put more pressure on myself because I was playing for Spain, for the Spaniards,” he told ESPN. “I felt that I let the Spanish people down by not winning the gold.”
The 21-year-old Carlos claimed he has never felt such much pressure in the four Grand Slam finals he has played — and won — in his career.
“It was a different type of pressure,” he told me. “Everyone in Spain wanted me to win the gold, and I wanted to win the gold as well.”
Carlos stated that the increased pressure harmed him, particularly in crucial stages of the game.
“In those difficult moments, I usually raise my level, but I wasn’t able to do that today,” he told me. “I probably felt pressure in those instances. You play four Grand Slams yearly, whereas the Olympics occur once every four years.
Carlos claimed he still has reason to be proud after “knowing that I gave everything.”
“Obviously this week, this tournament has been really special for me,” he told reporters. “I will definitely take it for the rest of my life and career. Playing alongside Rafa and winning my first Olympic medal — hopefully not the last — has been a memorable experience.”
Alcaraz arrived in Paris with high expectations of playing the doubles competition alongside his childhood idol Rafael Nadal, who won the singles gold in his Olympic debut in Beijing 2008.
Alcaraz Says Pressure Of Playing For Spain Got To Him In Loss To Djokovic In Olympics Final
The match versus Djokovic was a rematch of the previous two Wimbledon finals, both of which were won by Alcaraz, including last month.
“In the close moments, in the difficult situations, in the tiebreakers, he played an impressive game,” Alcaraz stated about the Serbian tennis player. “He was hungry for the gold medal.” “He was going for it.”
SOURCE | AP
