Carlos Alcaraz admits 'tension' of Grand Slam semi-final hindered him in French Open loss to Novak Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz has admitted nervousness and tension were contributing factors in the physical issues that hindered him in his loss to Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the French Open. The US Open champion arrived in Paris as the favourite to lift the title, and his performances leading into the last-four encounter reinforced that view. Ad But he never looked fully settled, and was unusually agitated at times in the match.

Roland-GarrosFrench Open: Top 5, Day 13 – Zverev, Djokovic and Alcaraz2 HOURS AGO The smile that lit up the earlier rounds was only occasionally in evidence, while he was often seen shouting at his coaching team. Winning the second set, after being dominated in the first, looked set to settle the youngster down. However, he cramped up badly in his right leg in the second game of the set, and forfeited his following service game in order to receive medical attention.

The treatment had little positive impact as he was a lame duck in the third set. Fans boo as Alcaraz forced to forfeit game after attack of cramp against Djokovic Alcaraz miracle shot stuns experts: 'I’ve never seen anything like it' Alcaraz left the court following the third set and returned with slightly improved movement, but he could not dig himself out of the hole as Djokovic wrapped up the win in four sets. There were questions as to what the problem was, and the 20-year-old conceded nervous tension played a part.

«I have never felt something like I did today,» Alcaraz said. «I have never felt that tension that I did in that match. »I started the match really nervous.

Really good rallies, tough rallies, drop shots, sprints, rallies. It's a combination of a lot of things. But the main thing, it was the tension that I had all the two