Ankle injuries are preferable before the Indian Wells title defense, according to Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz, at 20 years old, expressed relief that his ankle injury, which led to his withdrawal from the Rio Open last month, has shown signs of improvement. With his sights set firmly on defending his Indian Wells title, the Spanish tennis sensation is eager to put his recent setbacks behind him.

Alcaraz’s triumph over Daniil Medvedev in last year’s final at Indian Wells marked a significant milestone in his career. However, his journey has not been without its challenges. The ankle injury, suffered during a match in Rio de Janeiro, added to a series of setbacks for the world number two, who has been striving to recapture the form that saw him clinch the Wimbledon title in July.

Despite early exits at the Australian Open and the Argentina Open, Alcaraz found solace in his recent exhibition match victory over Rafa Nadal in Las Vegas. While acknowledging the lingering doubts surrounding his injury, Alcaraz expressed optimism about his recovery, stating that he feels better and is focused solely on defending his title at Indian Wells.

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The unveiling of a mural commemorating his previous triumph on the tournament grounds served as a reminder of Alcaraz’s rapid rise to stardom. However, he admitted that adjusting to fame has been a challenge, particularly on days when he prefers to remain out of the spotlight.

Nevertheless, Alcaraz remains grounded and maintains a natural approach to dealing with his newfound recognition. As he prepares to kick off his title defense against Matteo Arnaldi, Alcaraz is determined to embrace the pressure and expectations that come with being a top seed, while staying true to himself and his love for the game.