‘I was in pain’… Carlos Alcaraz now issues injury update after yesterday’s problem

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Carlos Alcaraz was forced to retire after just two games in his Rio Open curtain-raiser yesterday.

The Spaniard rolled his ankle early on, with pictures having since emerged outlining the extent of the swelling. Unsurprisingly, he could not go on.

This throws into doubt his upcoming Netflix clash with Rafael Nadal in Las Vegas, as well as his presence at Indian Wells, a title he will seek to defend.

But how long could the world number two be out for, and how serious is this injury? We take a closer look…

What Carlos Alcaraz said about his injury

Able to hobble off the court with his bags draped over his shoulders, it was a positive sign that the severity of the incident had not forced him to be stretchered or carried off.

After such a gruelling past few months, in which he has come under increased scrutiny for dropping his level slightly ever since his 2023 Wimbledon triumph, this injury comes at such a frustrating time for Alcaraz.

Especially given he reached the final last year, and likely had grand ambitions of going a step further in 2024.

He can’t catch a break, although speaking after the match did offer a positive update that should ease fans’ fears.

The 20-year-old noted: ‘The physios said it’s not serious. But it was bad. I was in pain when I fell. I thought it would be difficult to continue the game.’

Carlos Alcaraz can’t catch a break

Entering the new season, there was hope that Alcaraz might be able to build on a supremely profitable 2023, in which he actually toppled Novak Djokovic’s monopoly at Wimbledon.

The Australian Open seemed the perfect platform to enjoy such success, but a quarter-final exit to Alexander Zverev was disappointing in the grand scheme of things.

Following that up with a semi-final exit at the Buenos Aires Open, and questions began to arise.

Andy Roddick, as the voice of reason, would laugh these doubting voices off, but Rio did represent a big chance to regain some momentum after a turbulent 2024. However, in the end, it has only worsened his start to the season.

He will be back sooner rather than later, both in terms of his fitness and form, ready to compete again.

However, with a whole host of big tournaments and matches to be played, a lack of consistency could hamper what started out as an exciting season for Alcaraz.