Carlos Alcaraz suffered everything that was thrown against him in the second set and his spirits were shaken, growing further and further away from the imperial Daniil Medvedev and the defending champion. Then Arthur Ashe Stadium roared as the crowd became completely devoted to the defending champion and tennis prodigy and fell hopelessly in love with him. This is also part of the American “star system”: there are many celebrities in the stands of this game, such as NBA figures Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler, American football legend Tom Brady and Hollywood star Charlize Seth Long and Ben Stiller.
On Friday, Alcaraz bid farewell to his dream of a double at the U.S. Open (a dream that has eluded anyone since Roger Federer from 2004 to 2008) when he was eliminated by Medvedev, who will Sunday against Novak Djokovic for the title.
But what the Spaniard didn’t say goodbye to was the love of the New York fans, who embraced the 20-year-old tennis prodigy almost as if he were “their” tennis player.
It’s common (and understandable) for U.S. Open fans to be loud and loud, cheering on Team USA as they take on opponents from around the world.
However, New York fans also welcomed a boy from El Palma, with a constant smile on his face and a rocket on his right arm, who in 2022, at the age of 19, was crowned on the biggest tennis court. World number one. world.
They have accompanied him to overwhelming victories and impressive feats so far, such as last year’s unforgettable quarter-final against Italian Jannik Sinner After five hours of fierce and exciting fighting, the game ended at almost three o’clock in the morning.
But this time they did something different: they held Alcaraz’s hand, lifted him off the ground, and comforted him in his defeat.
“The crowd was incredible again. The energy and love I received not only today but since the first match. After losing the first two sets, they grew so that I could improve my level so that I Just to keep going so I have a chance to come back,” Alcaraz commented at a press conference tonight.
“The last game, the fans were unbelievable towards me. I mean, I could barely hear anything but the screams. It was crazy and even if I lost, it’s something I wouldn’t Things to forget,” he added.
After losing the first set in a tiebreak, Alcaraz fell into a “mental disconnect,” in his own words, which resulted in him losing the second set an uncontested 6-1.
But it was during the second set that the New York public stood up and offered encouragement and support to Alcaraz on multiple occasions, such as when he faced a break point against Medvedev.
The Russian was in a clear minority in the stands but was also pleased with the vibrant atmosphere at the stadium.
But Medvedev also spoke to fans about his game in his characteristically sarcastic fashion, particularly when he beat Alcaraz in the fourth set, where screams could be heard between his first and second serves.
“The crowd today was unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable, I’m serious (…). The only thing is that there were a thousand Spaniards to start at 5-3 (in the fourth set) Yelling between my first and second serve. It’s not “so good.” But I guess they were desperate. So I’m glad I didn’t help them. Now they can go to bed,” he said sarcastically.
Alcaraz assured many times that he would feel right at home at Arthur Ashe Stadium and would have no problem singing in front of thousands of people (just like he did at Sebastián Yatra as he did in “Vagabundo”), and he was always trying to put on a “show”. “Bringing his tennis to New York, a city obsessed with celebrity and entertainment.
Tonight, he couldn’t bring a victory to his New York fans, who could only sigh and sweeten the final between Alcaraz and Djokovic.
But they will certainly be with him again next year, win or lose.