Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz vomits in towel during US Open thriller after trying to shoo cameras away
Alcaraz Endures Physical Battle Before Falling Short Against Ben Shelton at US Open Quarterfinals
The early hours of Wednesday morning were defined by a tense confrontation at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz faced a brutal test of endurance. In a quarterfinal matchup against American Ben Shelton, the 19-year-old world number one was forced to abandon the court entirely due to severe physical distress, ultimately losing the match.
The contest stretched to a fifth set, with the score reaching 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) in Shelton's favor. As the match progressed, Alcaraz became increasingly visible to the crowd, struggling to manage the symptoms of what he described as a deep exhaustion. Rather than continuing to play through the pain, he requested privacy on his courtside chair, eventually resorting to vomiting into his towel to relieve himself.
Even in the midst of defeat, Alcaraz projected confidence. After the match, he stated, "I mean it was close, it really was close, so I was disappointed I didn’t get the win in the end, but I’m just happy… physically I was really tired, but I found a way to push myself." He emphasized his mental state, adding, "I leave the court happy. I leave the court with a smile. I am proud of myself, how I fought."
The loss marked the conclusion of Alcaraz's participation in the U.S. Open, coming after a lengthy recovery from a wrist injury. His opponent, however, emerged stronger. Ben Shelton secured a decisive victory, a triumph that propels him toward the semifinals and guarantees an American presence in the U.S. Open final.
Shelton described the encounter as a "war," highlighting the intensity of the match. "Carlos is one of the greatest champions of our sport. It was the most enjoyable match I’ve had in my career, for sure." Looking ahead, Shelton faces Frances Tiafoe in the upcoming semifinal, ensuring that the path to the championship remains open for home-grown talent.