CINCINNATI.- Spanish Carlos Alcaraz apologized for his behavior in Friday’s loss to Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Open.
In the third set, Alcaraz repeatedly slammed his racket into the ground, destroying it in a rare outburst of frustration for the four-time Grand Slam winner. The world number three lost 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 to the 37-year-old Monfils.
In a post on social media site X on Saturday, the Iberian said his attitude was not correct and his actions should not have happened on the court. The 21-year-old added that it is difficult to control yourself when your heart rate is high and that he will continue working to ensure that it does not happen again.
Alcaraz was playing his first match since winning the silver medal at the Paris Olympics when he lost the final to Novak Djokovic, who also beat him in last year’s final in Cincinnati.
“I felt like it was the worst match I’ve ever played in my career,” she admitted on Friday. “I had been practicing really well, I felt really good, but I couldn’t play. I want to forget about it and think about New York.”
The US Open begins on August 26 at Flushing Meadows.
McCutchen on injured list
Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen went on the 10-day injured list Saturday with left knee inflammation.
McCutchen was injured while rounding the bases in the seventh inning of Friday’s 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners.
The 37-year-old veteran has hit 11 straight games, his longest streak of the season, and is batting .235 with 16 homers in 101 games.
The five-time All-Star was named National League MVP in 2013.
Infielder Alika Williams was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis as part of the same decision. She has played in 25 games with the Pirates this season, batting .210.
