Alexander Blockx Retires Against Karen Khachanov at US Open

Physical Breakdown on Arthur Ashe

Entering the first Grand Slam quarterfinal of his career, Blockx quickly realized his body could not sustain the physical demands of the match. The Antwerp native explained in his post-match press conference that multiple physical issues accumulated as the contest wore on.

“I think my body ended up ceding today,” Blockx said. “I was still feeling a lot of pain in my ribs. I felt my leg as well. And, in the second set, a nerve in my back got blocked.”

Rather than retiring immediately after the nerve locked up, Blockx opted to stay on the court. He explained that he simply waited to see if Khachanov would break his serve while hoping for an unlikely shift in momentum.

“From that moment on, I was basically waiting for him to take my serve,” Blockx said. “You never know what can happen in a match, so I continued until the most realistic moment for him. He could still make a false move, twist his ankle. The only reason I got on the court is because I realize how rare it is to have the opportunity to play in the Arthur Ashe stadium. Physically, it was a real ordeal today, but I still think I managed to win quite a few games.”

Progress and Rankings Milestone

Despite the abrupt and painful conclusion to his New York campaign, Blockx leaves the tournament with clear evidence of his overall development on the ATP Tour. As the top-ranked Belgian male tennis player, he is set to crack the ATP Top 30 when the updated rankings are released following the tournament.

“Generally speaking, my game has evolved a lot. I play more aggressively. My attitude is better and I make better decisions on the court. It has been an exciting journey so far,” Blockx said. “Regardless of the injuries, I think I showed a very high level of tennis and took big steps.”

Uncertainty Surrounding Davis Cup Availability

With the US Open behind him, immediate questions turn to whether Blockx can represent Belgium in the upcoming Davis Cup Final 8 qualifiers. Belgium is scheduled to face Austria on clay in Vienna on September 18 and 19.

Blockx’s status for the tie remains doubtful as he awaits medical evaluation. “We still need to discuss it within the team,” he said regarding his availability. “If I only followed my heart, I would play without the slightest hesitation. But I also have to think about what is best for my body. Not only in the short term, but also to be able to continue playing as long as possible.”

Should Blockx be forced to sit out, he expressed full confidence in the depth of Belgian tennis, pointing to teammates Zizou Bergs, Gauthier Onclin, and others ready to step up under the national banner.

Next Steps and Recovery

Blockx plans to take a mandatory break from competition, outlining a recovery window of up to a week before returning to training. He confirmed he will undergo imaging examinations to determine the exact nature of the back and nerve issues.

“Tomorrow, I will undergo imaging exams to find out precisely what is going on,” Blockx concluded. “The season is still long and there are quite a few tournaments left. It is therefore important to make the right decisions.”