The outcome removed the men’s pre-tournament favorite, and it was difficult to anticipate going into it considering the opponent’s significantly worse credentials, Alcaraz‘s position as the third seed in the standings, and his recent excellence.
In addition to winning the title at Flushing Meadows in 2022, Alcaraz has already won four major championships in his career, having won the French Open in June and Wimbledon in July. Alcaraz then earned a silver medal in the Paris Olympics in early August as he was defeated by Novak Djokovic in the championship match.
The 21-year-old Spaniard entered the US Open with a 16-2 record; in his three prior visits, he had never lost before the quarterfinals. Alcaraz has never lost in the opening round of a Slam event, and this was his first loss at any major tournament since he was defeated in the second round of Wimbledon in 2021 as a teenager.
So who is Botic van de Zandschulp who pulled off the monumental upset at Flushing Meadows?
Botic van de Zandschulp, a 28-year-old from the Netherlands, was just 11-18 for the season at the start of this week and hadn’t won consecutive matches at a tour-level event in 2024 until now.
Only once Botic van de Zandschulp has been to a Grand Slam quarterfinal, getting that far at the US Open in 2021.
Botic van de Zandschulp has made significant strides on the ATP Tour in recent years. Known for his powerful baseline game and versatility on different surfaces, van de Zandschulp has steadily climbed the rankings, earning recognition as one of the promising players in men’s tennis.
Van de Zandschulp gained international attention during the 2021 US Open. As a qualifier, he made an impressive run to the quarterfinals, defeating several higher-ranked players, including Casper Ruud and Diego Schwartzman. His journey was remarkable as he became the only qualifier in that tournament to reach the last eight.
Van de Zandschulp achieved his career-high singles ranking in 2022, breaking into the top 30. His consistency in tournaments has made him a regular contender at ATP events.
Van de Zandschulp’s game is built around a solid serve and powerful groundstrokes. He is comfortable playing from the baseline and has a good all-around game, which allows him to compete effectively on different surfaces, including hard courts and clay.
Botic van de Zandschulp has continued to build on his 2021 success with strong performances in subsequent seasons. He has been a key player for the Netherlands in Davis Cup ties and has consistently been a threat in ATP tournaments, particularly in the early rounds.
As he continues to develop his game and gain experience on the tour, van de Zandschulp is expected to be a significant presence in men’s tennis in the coming years.
