Carlos Alcaraz has spoken of the “hurt” that his semi-final defeat by Nicolas Jarry at the Argentina Open has caused him. The Spanish world No. 2 lost 7-6(2) 6-3 in the final four of the tournament in Buenos Aires, with Jarry’s characteristically powerful serving doing particular damage, as the Chilean crashed down seven aces to Alcaraz’s none. Jarry could move to world No. 17 should he win it.
Carlos Alcaraz has spoken of the “hurt” that his defeat to Nicolas Jarry in the semi-finals of the Argentina Open has caused him.
The Spaniard, who fell 7-6(2) 6-3 to the Chilean in Buenos Aires, has now played nine tournaments without collecting a trophy, with his last title coming at Wimbledon last year, when he defeated Novak Djokovic in a remarkable five-set comeback.
Alcaraz now sits at world No. 2 in the ATP rankings, and another defeat could see the gap close further between him and those hot on his tail – particularly recent Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner, who faces Alex de Minaur in the final in Rotterdam.
Speaking in his post-match press conference after his defeat by Jarry, the 20-year-old said: “It’s a difficult defeat, it hurt me a lot.
“There are many things to improve, and my level has to go up. I played good tennis but very far from my real level.
“I felt good physically and it’s important, and I think that with work I will get better… but having opportunities is difficult.”
Alcaraz is one that always continues to amaze with his level of maturity and self-awareness despite his young age, and the top seed in the Argentinian capital believes that there are positives to be found from his defeat.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 🫡
Nicolas Jarry stuns Alcaraz 7-6(2) 6-3 to make his 6th career tour-level final! @ArgentinaOpen | #IEBMasArgOpen2024 pic.twitter.com/oi1nPtjeco
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 17, 2024
“The positive thing is that I see that I have a lot of things to improve,” Alcaraz explained.
“Learning that I have to read the matches better, to give my best version in the moments of tension. Today I lacked that in the 0-30, in the break-points, to be able to play differently there.”
Alcaraz was also keen to emphasise his opponent’s quality, with Jarry, renowned for his big serve followed by a thunderous forehand, crashed down seven aces to Alcaraz’s none.
The Spaniard, whose supreme talent and early success has built much expectation of him at such a young age, now heads into every event he plays as one of, if not the, firm favourite.
“It is true that expectations are generated in me in the tournaments where I go… maybe people think that I have to win every match, but Jarry has a level that can beat anyone,” Alcaraz said.
“It’s a shame to see that I haven’t improved some things in my concentration since 2023. There’s no other way, it’s something pending, and my level of play is based on the level of attitude and energy I’m in.
“The year is still very long, many things can still happen, and we will see how it goes on.”
