The historic US Open match between Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton shows how important mental strength and the right attitude are during extreme exhaustion.
It was a historic moment in New York, which nevertheless triggered fierce discussions: The 2026 US Open quarter-final between defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton did not end until 3:33 am local time. After a thrilling battle lasting 4 hours and 28 minutes, the American Shelton converted his first match point in the fifth-set tiebreak. It was the latest match finish in the history of the tournament. Previously, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner held this unloved record with a 2:50 am finish in 2022.
Because all three previous matches in the Arthur Ashe Stadium went the full distance, the highly anticipated duel did not start until 11:05 pm. Such extreme late starts are no longer a rarity at the US Open. Alexander Zverev finished his matches in the early rounds at 1:55 am and 2:15 am. Sofia Kenin and Venus Williams did not even start their first-round match until 12:13 am. While fans and experts like the former Italian professional Paolo Bertolucci or the former world number four Greg Rusedski sharply criticise the late scheduling and warn of health damage, ambitious recreational players can draw valuable lessons from the mental approach of the pros.
When a match is delayed or takes place under difficult conditions, many players tend to let themselves get mentally thrown off. Carlos Alcaraz showed what a healthy attitude looks like after his defeat. Despite the bitter loss, he left the court with a smile. He emphasised that he was proud of his fighting spirit and happy to be competing healthily at the highest level again after a four-month break due to a wrist injury.
For your own matchplay, this means: Do not struggle with external circumstances that you cannot change – be it a delayed start to the match, poor light or wind. Anyone who accepts the situation and directs their focus onto their own fight saves valuable energy.
Alcaraz openly admitted that he was physically extremely exhausted after the third set. Nevertheless, he found a way to fight his way back in the fifth set and step up physically. In long matches, physical and mental performance curves are completely normal. It is important to stay calm during these phases, temporarily take the pace out and focus on simple, controlled shots until your strength returns.
Should the exhaustion in the match become too great or if pain occurs, your own health of course always comes first. In the event of persistent complaints or injuries, you should stop the physical exertion immediately and have the causes professionally clarified.
In the deciding match tiebreak of the fifth set, according to Alcaraz, one element in particular made the difference: the serve of Ben Shelton. The American used his powerful service to keep the pressure high and win free points. When the legs get tired and concentration fades, a stable, reliable shot is the best life insurance on the court.
For your training, this shows how important it is to be able to keep the basics like the serve stable even under fatigue. A solid serve takes pressure off your own shoulders and forces the opponent into errors when strength is fading on both sides.
Your takeaway: Accept difficult conditions and fatigue as a mental challenge and always leave the court – regardless of the result – with a focus on your personal development.
This article was generated automatically with AI from the sources listed above and has not been editorially reviewed.