From the second point of the game, Carlos Alcaraz collapsed on the clay court of Rio, during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday.
In the images, his right ankle is stuck on the ground and twisted.
Opposed to the Brazilian Thiago Monteiro, the 20-year-old player then requested a time-out during which he was bandaged.
Before giving up after only two games (1-1).
Carlos Alcaraz quickly dismissed the theory of the ground being too slippery, due to the rain earlier in the day: “It's not a problem on the court, I injured myself changing direction and it happens on this type of surface.
» His condition will be assessed during the day on Wednesday, as he indicated at a press conference.
𝙊𝙪𝙘𝙝 😖
The moment Carlos Alcaraz rolled his ankle, forcing the world No. 2 to withdraw from his tournament opener in Rio after just two games.
👋
Wishing you a speedy recovery, @carlosalcaraz ❤️
(via @atptour) pic.twitter.com/XAdLZEj2fc
— Eurosport (@eurosport) February 21, 2024
“The physios told me they didn’t think it was too serious,” said the Spaniard.
I felt bad, that was the first impression I had.
I was in pain once I fell, I knew it would be difficult to continue.
The physio told me to continue a few games to see how I felt.
But I was in pain, I couldn't move well, that's why I chose to give up.
»
Thiago Monteiro, winner by forfeit, was also concerned about his condition.
“I just wish him a speedy recovery, that it’s not serious and that it doesn’t affect his season,” said the 117th in the world.
It's really sad to win this way, because I know how hard each player works to be ready for a tournament of this magnitude.
»
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Carlos Alcaraz, winner of the Rio tournament in 2022, is not reassured after a difficult start to the year.
The world number two was eliminated in the quarter-final of the Australian Open in January and in the semi-final of the Buenos Aires tournament last week.
He now hopes to be restored for the exhibition match against Rafael Nadal, organized on March 4 in Las Vegas by Netflix.