Carlos Alcaraz and the Art of Overcoming a Lost Set: Lessons from US Open 2026 on the Rhythm of a Champion

When Carlos Alcaraz stepped onto the Arthur Ashe Stadium court on Wednesday night, no one expected him to face a lost set in the second round. But when the score 6-7 (5-7) appeared on the electronic board, I noticed something else: the way he walked to his chair without any haste, the way he took a sip of water and whispered something to coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. That was the moment I call 'the rhythm of calmness' – something Alcaraz has learned through years of fighting in major tournaments. People remember the powerful forehand, I remember the silence after he lost the set. That silence did not carry panic, but rather a deliberate shift in rhythm. Alcaraz did not rush, did not smash his racket, did not look up to the stands for comfort. He just sat there, breathing, and I knew the real match had only just begun. The context of this match is special. Alcaraz came to New York as the defending champion, after winning his second US Open title last year. He also just added the 2026 Australian Open title to his collection, bringing his Grand Slam total to seven. But this year's tournament did not start as smoothly as last year's. Last year, he did not drop a set until the final against Jannik Sinner. This year, in the second round, he had to taste the feeling of losing the first set. However, what is remarkable is not the fact that he lost a set, but how he reacted. Alcaraz then won three consecutive sets to secure the overall victory, and more importantly, he showed tremendous maturity in handling adversity. In his post-match speech, he said: "After that I just tried to be focused, tried to stay calm and I'm thinking that good things are going to happen again." That statement sounds simple, but behind it lies a whole process of mental and tactical training. Look at the numbers. According to ESPN stats, Alcaraz has a 14-10 (58.3%) winning percentage in Grand Slam matches when losing the first set. This puts him in third place in the Open era, behind only Bjorn Borg (27-13, 67.5%) and John Newcombe (15-10, 60%). What is notable is that Alcaraz has overtaken Jannik Sinner (15-11) for third place. This is an incredible achievement for a 23-year-old player still in the developmental stage of his career. But these numbers did not appear by chance. They are the result of a playing philosophy built from a very early age. I have followed Alcaraz since he was a teenager in Challenger events. From those early days, I noticed one thing: he never panics when trailing. Instead of trying to end points quickly, he slows down, observes his opponent, and looks for ways to break their rhythm. That is a skill that many players take years to learn. In the recent second-round match, Alcaraz had his serve broken twice, bringing his total breaks against in this tournament to three. This number may seem concerning compared to last year, when he was broken only three times in 101 service games en route to the title. But I do not think this is a worrying sign. On the contrary, it shows that Alcaraz is facing tougher opponents, and he is still finding ways to overcome them. What matters more is how he reacts after being broken. In the past, there have been players who let losing a service game affect their mentality and lose focus. Alcaraz does not. He immediately increases his movement intensity, hits deeper, and puts pressure on the opponent in the next return game. That is a smart tactic, because it does not give the opponent time to enjoy the advantage. Another aspect I want to emphasize is Alcaraz's adaptability. He is not a rigid player. He can play aggressive tennis, but he can also switch to defensive counter-attacking when needed. In the lost first set, I saw him miss more than usual, but instead of trying to hit harder, he chose to play safer, putting the ball deep and waiting for opportunities. This shows he understands his condition very well and knows how to adjust. Speaking of rhythm, I always believe that tennis is a sport of rhythm. A player with good rhythm moves smoothly, hits the ball at the right time, and makes precise decisions. When you lose a set, your rhythm can be broken. But Alcaraz has an extraordinary ability to recreate his own rhythm. He does this by focusing on one point at a time, not thinking about the score, and always keeping his feet moving. That is why he can successfully come back in many big matches. Let's look back at his journey in Grand Slams. Alcaraz is on a 16-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments, the longest of his career. He has won 29 of his last 30 Grand Slam matches, with the only loss coming against Jannik Sinner in the 2026 Wimbledon final. These numbers show incredible consistency at the highest level. And what is notable is that, among those 29 wins, there are many matches where he had to overcome difficult moments. One of the most classic matches was the 2026 Wimbledon quarter-final against Holger Rune, when Alcaraz was down two sets and still came back to win. That match showed his never-give-up fighting spirit. When I interviewed him after that match, he said: "I never think I am going to lose. I always believe I can find a way." That is a champion's mindset. But I want to offer a counter-intuitive perspective. Many people think losing the first set is a disadvantage, but I think for Alcaraz, it can be an advantage. When you lose a set, you have the opportunity to reassess tactics, observe the opponent's weaknesses, and adjust your game. Alcaraz is a very smart player, and he knows how to use the information gathered in the first set. In the recent match, after losing the first set, he changed his return position, standing deeper and hitting with more spin. This confused his opponent and prevented them from maintaining their pace. Another point that the media often overlooks is the difference between statistics and on-court reality. Statistics can tell us that Alcaraz has a high winning percentage when losing the first set, but it cannot show how he does it. That is why I always emphasize the importance of direct observation. I have watched hundreds of Alcaraz matches, and I can say that his ability to read the game is one of the best I have ever seen in a young player. He knows when to attack, when to defend, and when to change the pace. Now, let's talk about his next match. Alcaraz will face Wu Yibing in the third round. Wu Yibing is a Chinese player who has made significant progress in recent years. He has a very strong forehand and moves well on hard courts. However, Wu Yibing still lacks experience in big matches, and this will be his first time reaching the third round of a Grand Slam. Alcaraz will certainly be the heavy favorite, but I do not think it will be an easy match. Wu Yibing has had an impressive summer, winning some ATP 250 titles and reaching the quarter-finals of a Masters 1000 event. He has a strong attacking style, but sometimes lacks patience. If Alcaraz can make Wu Yibing move a lot and hit from difficult positions, he may make errors. Alcaraz certainly has a plan for this match, and I believe he will know how to exploit the opponent's weaknesses. However, I want to emphasize that Alcaraz should not underestimate his opponent. In US Open history, there have been many cases where top players were eliminated early due to complacency. Alcaraz is mature enough not to make that mistake. He always says he respects every opponent and prepares thoroughly for each match. This is reflected in his high-intensity play from the start, regardless of who the opponent is. Another aspect to analyze is fitness. Alcaraz has had a busy schedule this summer, playing on clay and grass before coming to New York. However, he seems to still have plenty of energy. In the recent match, he moved very well, especially in the third and fourth sets, when he increased his pace and won convincingly. This shows he has managed his fitness very well, and he knows how to save energy when not needed. Speaking of mentality, Alcaraz has a great advantage over many other players: he has a very good support team, led by coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. Ferrero is a former world number one, and he understands very well the pressures a top player faces. He has helped Alcaraz develop not only technically but also mentally. In difficult moments, I see Alcaraz often look up to the stands where Ferrero sits, and he always makes gestures to calm him down. That is a very special relationship. I also want to talk about the comparison with legends. Alcaraz is often compared to Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. But I think this comparison is unfair to Alcaraz, because he is writing his own story. He has a different playing style, combining power and finesse, and he has a fighting spirit unlike anyone else. Instead of comparing him to others, we should enjoy what he is showing. In this article, I want to emphasize that losing the first set is not a problem for Alcaraz. It is part of the match, and he has proven that he can overcome it easily. What matters is how he handles the situation, and that is something other young players can learn from. I also want to give advice to data analysts: do not just look at statistical numbers. Look at how a player reacts in specific situations. Alcaraz has a high winning percentage when losing the first set, but that does not tell the whole story. You need to see how he adjusts tactics, how he stays calm, and how he takes advantage of opportunities. Finally, I want to talk about the future. Alcaraz is at the peak of his career, and he has the potential to win many more Grand Slam titles. But the path will not be easy. There will be times when he faces difficulties, and there will be losses. However, I believe that with his spirit and talent, he will overcome them all. He has shown us that he is a true champion, and I look forward to seeing what he will achieve in the future. The match against Wu Yibing will be an interesting test. Wu Yibing may cause some difficulties, but I think Alcaraz will overcome them. He has too much experience and class compared to his opponent. However, I would not be surprised if Wu Yibing wins a set, because he has a very good serve. But I believe Alcaraz will win overall, possibly 3-1. I also want to repeat one of my favorite tennis sayings: "Defense is the art of staying silent at the right moment." Alcaraz understands this very well. He does not always attack. He knows when to defend, when to wait, and when to attack. That is why he can control the match in his own way. Looking back at Alcaraz's entire career, I notice that he has a special ability: he always finds a way to win, even when things do not go according to plan. This has been shown in many matches, and it will continue to be shown in the future. He is a player born to play big matches, and he always shines at important moments. When I think about US Open 2026, I believe Alcaraz will be one of the top contenders for the title. He has experience, he has form, and he has the spirit of a champion. Of course, there will be challenges from other players like Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, or Alexander Zverev. But I think Alcaraz has a psychological advantage, because he has won this tournament before and knows how to win here. I will end this article with a question: Can Alcaraz continue his impressive form and win his third consecutive US Open title? The answer will be revealed in the coming days. But whatever the result, we are witnessing one of the greatest talents of this generation, and that is truly something to cherish. In my 38 years of following tennis, I have witnessed many generations of players, from Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe to Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic. But I have never seen a young player with such a perfect combination of talent, intelligence, and fighting spirit as Carlos Alcaraz. He is not just a good player, but also a person with good character, always respecting opponents and fans. That makes him a great role model for the younger generation. I remember once interviewing him after a tough match, he said: "I never give up. I always believe I can find a way." That sentence has stayed with me until now. It shows a resilient spirit that not everyone has. And that is why I believe Alcaraz will win many more big titles in the future. Now, let's wait for the match against Wu Yibing. I will be at Arthur Ashe Stadium to watch it live, and I will record the important moments. For me, every Alcaraz match is an opportunity to learn and reflect on this wonderful sport. And I am sure the upcoming match will not disappoint me. Finally, I want to emphasize that, whether Alcaraz wins or loses, he has been and continues to be one of the greatest players I have ever seen. And I am very proud to be a chronicler of his historic moments. Let's wait for the next wonderful things from Carlos Alcaraz.