Paula Badosa sounds off on Carlos Alcaraz criticism, makes big

Paula Badosa was stunned by some of the reactions to Carlos Alcaraz’s US Open loss as she couldn’t believe how quick were some to throw the 21-year-old under the bus over just one disappointing result. 

Alcaraz, who entered the final Grand Slam of the year seeded at No. 3, was widely regarded as one of the top favorites for the title. But on Thursday evening, the Spanish tennis star’s run at Flushing Meadows shockingly came to an end in the second round after world No. 74 Botic van de Zandschulp claimed a 6-1 7-5 6-4 victory.

While the world No. 3 was dominating the last couple of months and captured back-to-back Major titles at the French Open and Wimbledon, the 28-year-old Dutch was struggling and even contemplated retirement from tennis. But when they met at Arthur Ashe Stadium, it was the world No. 74 who dominated things throughout the match and ultimately ended up sealing a routine straight-set win. 

The result itself was labeled as one of the most shocking in recent Slam memory and that led some harsh criticism sent the 21-year-old Spaniard’s way. 

“I woke up this morning and I read all these negative comments because he lost in the second round. I thought ‘he’s just won two Grand Slams and he’s been No. 1 in the world. These criticisms surprise me. Everyone is human, everyone can lose in any round. Reading that makes me feel bad but I know that it is part of the job and that is what it is. He should be congratulated every day,” Badosa said.

It should be mentioned that Alcaraz was also a finalist at the Paris Olympics in early August, where he fell just short of winning a gold medal in his Olympic debut after losing a tight meeting versus Novak Djokovic. Moments after the final ended, the Spanish former world No. 1 burst into tears and confessed that he felt like “I let my people down.” And when that happened, some felt that he may not be at his best at the US Open – which turned out correct.

Badosa…