With Carlos Alcaraz losing at US Open, who remains the only man to win French Open, Wimbledon & New York in the same year in the Open Era? All you need to know

Spanish youngster Carlos Alcaraz has been making headlines with his impressive performances this year. However, his recent setback against unseeded Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp surprised many as he crashed out of the US Open in the second round, 1-6, 5-7, 4-6.

The Spaniard has had a reasonably successful year, winning the French Open, Wimbledon, and the silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. Alcaraz's shock defeat to van de Zandschlup means that Rafael Nadal, notably the former's idol, remains the only man to win the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open in the same year.

Nadal achieved this feat in 2010, defeating Robin Söderling in the French Open, Tomáš Berdych at Wimbledon, and Novak Djokovic at the US Open final.

Notably, Alcaraz's unique list of records and achievements includes remaining undefeated in the opening round of a Grand Slam tournament, something Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic couldn't achieve. Federer debuted in 1999 at the French Open, where he lost to Patrick Rafter. Djokovic's debut Grand Slam appearance at the 2005 Australian Open resulted in an opening-round loss to Marat Safin.

Carlos Alcaraz is also the youngest man at 21 to have won a Grand Slam on all three surfaces. However, the World No. 3 will have to step up a level to match this unique record set by Rafael Nadal.

Alcaraz has struggled for form since his loss to Novak Djokovic in the Paris Olympics final, having lost against Gaël Monfils in the Cincinnati Masters round of 32 in three sets (4-6, 7-6, 6-4) before his shock loss at the US Open.

Carlos Alcaraz opens up after shock second-round defeat at the US Open

Carlos Alcaraz suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the US Open. He lost in straight sets 1-6, 5-7, 4-6. The Dutchman had considered retiring earlier this year and has now defeated the reigning Wimbledon and Roland Garros champion to make his way into the third round at Flushing Meadows.

Alcaraz, though devastated, maintained his calm during his post-match interview as he opened up about the reasons for his defeat.

"Today I was playing against the opponent, and I was playing against myself, you know, in my mind. I mean, a lot of emotions that I couldn't control. I was up in some points. Then I lose some points; I get down. It was a roller coaster, let's say, in my mind. So I can't be like that if I want to think about big things, so I have to improve it. I have to learn about it."

He then talked about how he had to make significant changes in his game and thought process before matches. He also addressed how his break after the Olympics may have needed to have been a longer one as he didn't feel his best self in New York. He did accept his mistakes during the match and showed great character with a desire to perform better at his next professional appearance.