'Tough luck, Carlos' — Tendulkar backs Alcaraz after US Open exit

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar praised Ben Shelton after the American defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling US Open 2026 quarter-final. Shelton won the dramatic five-set match 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10/7) to reach the semi-finals.

Tendulkar was impressed by the way both players fought until the final moments of the match. He congratulated Shelton for keeping his composure under pressure and praised the quality of tennis throughout the contest. He also showed sympathy towards Alcaraz after the Spaniard narrowly missed out on a place in the semi-finals.

Sharing his reaction on social media, Tendulkar praised the exciting battle between the two players and acknowledged Alcaraz’s fighting spirit. He simply wrote, “Tough Luck, Carlos.”

Here is Sachin Tendulkar’s complete X post:

Sachin Tendulkar backs Carlos Alcaraz after US Open 2026 quarter-final loss

Sachin Tendulkar praised Carlos Alcaraz despite the Spaniard’s quarter-final loss to Ben Shelton at the US Open 2026. Reacting to the thrilling match, Tendulkar said both players fought hard throughout the contest before Shelton held his nerve in the deciding moments.

“That was some tennis! Every time it looked like one of them had the match, the other fought his way back. And then it came down to the final few points. Well played, Ben Shelton! Tough luck, Carlos. Coming back after an injury makes this one even tougher,” Tendulkar said in a post on X.

The four-hour, 28-minute match also became the latest-finishing contest in US Open history. Alcaraz had previously won a five-set quarter-final against Jannik Sinner that finished at 2:50 a.m. two years ago. However, this time Shelton kept his composure in the deciding Match Tie-break to complete a stunning upset and secure his place in the semi-finals.

What happened in the match — Shelton's win and Tendulkar's exact message

Ben Shelton stunned Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling five-set US Open 2026 quarter-final. The American won 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10/7) in four hours and 28 minutes to reach the semi-finals. The match also became the latest-finishing contest in US Open history.

Shelton kept his composure in the deciding Match Tie-break and produced his best tennis when it mattered most. The 23-year-old American continued his impressive form during the North American hard-court swing and secured his place in the US Open semi-finals. He will now face Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semi-final.

Sachin Tendulkar was impressed by the quality of the contest and praised Shelton for his resilience. The legendary Indian cricketer also sympathised with Alcaraz after his defeat, especially as the Spaniard was returning from a four-month injury layoff. Tendulkar described the match as thrilling and wished Alcaraz better luck after his narrow loss.

How fans and Alcaraz have responded to Tendulkar's support

Carlos Alcaraz has not yet publicly responded to Sachin Tendulkar’s message following his US Open 2026 quarter-final defeat to Ben Shelton. The Spanish star has remained focused on the tournament and has not shared any direct reaction to Tendulkar’s words so far.

However, Tendulkar’s message received attention from fans on social media. Many fans appreciated the legendary cricketer’s support for Alcaraz and his praise for Shelton after the thrilling five-set contest. Here is how the fans reacted:

The match attracted plenty of reactions from tennis and cricket fans, with many praising both players for their fighting spirit. Tendulkar’s message added another layer to the discussion, as fans highlighted his admiration for Alcaraz and his appreciation of Shelton’s impressive performance.