{"id":2120415,"date":"2026-08-31T10:45:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T07:45:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2120415"},"modified":"2026-08-31T10:45:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T07:45:33","slug":"carlos-alcaraz-accused-of-favouritism-as-us-open-controversy-reignites-rule-change-debate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2120415","title":{"rendered":"Carlos Alcaraz accused of favouritism as US Open controversy reignites rule change debate"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"ps-article-content rounded-lg lg:mt-5 lg:border lg:border-card lg:bg-card lg:shadow-primary\">\n<header>\n<h1 class=\"py-4 text-xl font-normal text-title sm:text-2xl\">Carlos Alcaraz accused of favouritism as US Open controversy reignites rule change debate<\/h1>\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flex items-center\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/author\/richie-mills\" class=\"text-sm font-normal !text-author\"><br \/>\n                            Richie Mills                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <time class=\"ml-3 text-sm font-normal text-info md:ml-4\" datetime=\"31 Aug 2026 11:45 AM\" data-ps-date=\"31 Aug 2026 11:45 AM\" data-ps-datetime=\"1788173133\"><br \/>\n                            31 Aug 2026 11:45 AM                        <\/time>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden justify-end space-x-4 text-xl sm:flex sm:!opacity-100\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img 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<\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sm:hidden flex items-center space-x-5\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_light.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <button id=\"t365-article-share-btn-hidden\" class=\"mr-2 hidden h-6 w-6 appearance-none border-none !text-share-icon outline-none hover:!text-share-icon-active sm:hidden\" data-title=\"Carlos Alcaraz accused of favouritism as US Open controversy reignites rule change debate\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/button>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5 border-b border-page\"><\/div>\n<section>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5\">\n<figure class=\"aspect-h-9 aspect-w-16 relative\">\n                                        <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1320\" height=\"742\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover object-center !my-0\" src=\"https:\/\/d2me2qg8dfiw8u.cloudfront.net\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3DG93W8-1-1320x742.jpg\" alt=\"Pictured: Carlos Alcaraz (inset) and Terence Atmane at the US Open\">                <\/figure><figcaption class=\"flex items-center space-x-3 border-b border-mobile-caption px-3 lg:border-caption\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-1.5 break-words !text-xs !text-content\">\n                                Carlos Alcaraz has been accused of favouritism after Terence Atmane&#8217;s US Open controversy                            <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"ciam-article-t365\"><!-- Article Start --><\/p>\n<p>Terence Atmane was at the centre of a cramping controversy during his five-set loss to Jaume Munar in the first round of the US Open.<\/p>\n<p>The Frenchman was two sets up on the Spaniard on Sunday before he began cramping. The 24-year-old\u2019s left hand seized up early in the second set, prompting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/terence-atmane\">Atmane<\/a> to serve an underarm serve with his right hand.<\/p>\n<p>The former world No 41 managed to recover somewhat, despite losing the next two sets, as the contest headed for a gripping finale. However, he called for the trainer at 2-1 down in the fifth but the physio refused to treat him.<\/p>\n<p>This incensed Atmane, who said, \u201cI tell him I have pain. Why is he saying no? I know the rules, that\u2019s why I\u2019m asking, that\u2019s why I\u2019m calling you, because I know I cannot get treatment for cramp. It was not cramp, it was pain. Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When the physio walked away, Atmane was then heard saying, \u201cExcuse me, can you just give me treatment and stop acting stupid,\u201d before asking for his credentials.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>More US Open N<\/strong><strong>ews<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/john-mcenroe-blasted-despicable-response-mariano-navones-novak-djokovic-win-us-open\">US Open: John McEnroe faces calls to retire over \u2018disrespectful\u2019 Mariano Navone comments after Novak Djokovic upset<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/us-open\/novak-djokovic-vomits-cries-receives-treatment-during-emotional-us-open-exit\">Novak Djokovic -6 in ATP Rankings as he vomits and cries during emotional US Open exit<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Want more from Tennis365? Add us as<span>\u00a0<\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\">a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>for tennis coverage you can trust.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The left-hander has been criticised for his on-court conduct as he was dumped out of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/us-open\">US Open<\/a> 6-7 (5), 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4), 7-5, but others on social media have claimed that it is one rule for lower-ranked players and another for the sport\u2019s biggest stars.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/carlos-alcaraz\">Carlos Alcaraz<\/a> received treatment in the third set of his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/australian-open\">Australian Open<\/a> semi-final against Alexander Zverev. The German argued that he was suffering from cramp and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/alexander-zverev-carlos-alcaraz-controversial-cramping-medical-time-australian-open\">angrily questioned why he had been allowed treatment<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Players cannot receive a medical time out for muscle cramping, although treatment for cramping is permitted during changeovers or set breaks. The Spaniard\u00a0\u2013 who later claimed it was for a thigh injury \u2013 went on to win in five sets, before beating Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final.<\/p>\n<p>Now, this alleged discrepancy between Atmane and Alcaraz is being pointed out online.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"560\">\n<p>Tense scenes between Terence Atmane &amp; the physio during his match against Munar at the U.S. Open<\/p>\n<p>The physio will not treat him for an injury because he insists Terence is suffering from cramps.<\/p>\n<p>Terence argued with him, but the physio still would not treat him.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cExcuse me, can\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/c8NFZKcAEB\">pic.twitter.com\/c8NFZKcAEB<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TheTennisLetter\/status\/2094186347246531040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One user wrote, \u201cThe issue here is that the exact same thing happened with Alcaraz in AO and the physio treated him, knowing it was cramp. Zverev knew at the time it was cramp. Everyone knew it was cramp. But that was Carlos Alcaraz and not Terence Atmane.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>They argued a physio would not refuse to treat Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner and that \u201cmega stars\u201d get favourable treatment. However, there is no definite proof that this is\/was the case.<\/p>\n<p>Others argued that Alcaraz\u2019s case was \u201cby the book\u201d as the physio approved the medical time out, heat protocols were in place at the Australian Open, and that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/atp-tour-urged-rethink-rule-jannik-sinner-carlos-alcaraz-have-exploited\">Sinner was someone who was given more favourable treatment<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This cramping topic is still a thorny issue and perhaps a clearer rule needs to be put in place.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ NEXT: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/us-open\/novak-djokovics-first-comments-us-open-shock-serious-issue\">Novak Djokovic makes admission after loss \u2013 \u2018I don\u2019t know how much longer I can keep going like this\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- Article End --><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Carlos Alcaraz accused of favouritism as US Open controversy reignites rule change debate Richie Mills 31 Aug 2026 11:45 AM Carlos Alcaraz has been accused of favouritism after Terence Atmane&#8217;s US Open controversy Terence Atmane was at the centre of a cramping controversy during his five-set loss to Jaume Munar in the first round of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,249],"class_list":["post-2120415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tennis365-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2120415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2120415"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2120415\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2120415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2120415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2120415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}