Carlos Alcaraz’s Ankle Injury Raises Concerns After Rio Open Retirement

World-renowned tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz, currently ranked as the world number two at just 20 years old, faces uncertainty as he prepares to undergo medical examinations following an ankle injury that forced him to retire from his first-round match against Thiago Monteiro at the Rio Open on Tuesday.

The incident occurred early in the match when Alcaraz twisted his right ankle on just the second point of the contest, prompting immediate medical attention. Despite returning to the court with heavy strapping, the Spaniard struggled to overcome the discomfort and ultimately made the difficult decision to retire from the match after managing to break Monteiro’s serve.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Alcaraz expressed his concern over the severity of the injury, stating, “Tomorrow I’ll have a test for my ankle and let’s see if it’s something serious or not.” His initial impression of the injury was grim, as he recounted feeling significant pain upon falling and expressed doubts about his ability to continue playing.

Tennis Full Results | Schedule

Despite his disappointment, Alcaraz remained optimistic about his recovery, acknowledging the importance of prioritizing his long-term health. “After a few points, it didn’t feel better. I couldn’t move well and I knew that it was going to be impossible to continue,” he explained. “I thought it was going to get worse if I kept playing for such a long match and that’s why I chose to retire.”

Alcaraz’s early exit from the Rio Open comes as a setback for the talented young player, who had enjoyed success at the tournament in previous years, winning the title in 2022 and finishing as runner-up in 2023. His recent loss in the semi-finals of the Buenos Aires Open added to his disappointment, but Alcaraz remains focused on his upcoming tournaments, including the Queen’s Club Championships and Wimbledon.

As he awaits the results of his medical tests, Alcaraz will be hoping for a swift recovery to defend his titles and continue his impressive rise in the world of tennis. With the Indian Wells tournament looming on the horizon, the young star will undoubtedly be eager to return to full fitness and showcase his talents on the international stage once again.