Alcaraz to Undergo Tests on Injured Ankle After Rio Open Exit
In a disappointing turn of events, world number two Carlos Alcaraz chose an early exit from the Rio Open as he retired from his first-round match against Thiago Monteiro. The 20-year-old Spaniard twisted his right ankle on the second point of the game, prompting medical attention. Despite returning to the court with heavy strapping and breaking Monteiro's serve, Alcaraz ultimately decided to retire after being broken in the next game, ending the match with a 1-1 score.
Expressing concern about the severity of his ankle injury, Alcaraz told reporters, "Tomorrow I'll have a test for my ankle and let's see if it's something serious or not." He described his initial impression, saying, "I felt bad. That was the first impression I had. I was feeling pain once I fell down, so I thought it was going to be difficult to continue if I was still having those feelings. 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."
Having won the Rio title in 2022 and finishing as the runner-up last year, Alcaraz's unexpected exit raises questions about his upcoming schedule. Despite announcing his participation in the Queen's Club Championships and defending his Wimbledon title in July, the two-time major champion hopes to recover in time for the Indian Wells tournament next month. Tennis fans will eagerly await the results of Alcaraz's ankle tests and his potential return to the court.
