Carlos Alcaraz apologizes on social media for destroying racquet: "I am human"

CINCINNATI (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz has apologized for his behavior during Friday afternoon's loss to Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Open.

During the third set, Alcaraz destroyed his racquet by repeatedly smashing it on the court in a rare show of frustration for the four-time Grand Slam winner. The No. 3 player in the ATP rankings lost 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 to the 37-year-old Monfils.

WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz smashes his racquet during Gael Monfils loss in Cincinnati

Posting in Spanish on X on Saturday, Alcaraz said his attitude was not correct, and his actions should not have been done on the court. The 21-year-old added that he will work to ensure it doesn't happen again:

"I am human, I had a lot of nerves inside and sometimes it is very difficult to control yourself when your heart rate is so high," he wrote. "I will work so that it does not happen again."

Alcaraz was playing his first match since earning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics after losing to Novak Djokovic, who also beat him last year in the Cincinnati final.

Read More: Frustrated Carlos Alcaraz calls Cincinnati Open loss to Gael Monfils "worst match I ever played"

"I felt like it was the worst match that I've ever played in my career," Alcaraz said Friday. "I've been practicing really well. I was feeling great. But I couldn't play. I want to forget it and try to move on to New York."

The US Open begins in New York on Aug. 26.