Carlos Alcaraz' constant injury woes 'disconcerting' admits Paul Annacone after Barcelona Open withdrawal

Paul Annacone, former coach of Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, expressed his concern about Carlos Alcaraz's constant injuries following his withdrawal from the Barcelona Open. The world No. 3 missed last week's Monte-Carlo Masters due to an issue with his right arm, which will also prevent him from participating in the ATP 500 this week.

The tournament announced on Sunday that Alcaraz will not be available to defend the title he won in the last two editions: “We’ll miss you, champion @carlitosalcarazz will not be able to defend the title he won the last two seasons at the #BCNOpenBS.

“The player from Murcia has suffered from the injury sustained in Monte Carlo, and did not have a good feeling in his training on Sunday and, despite having tried until the last moment, he will not be in the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell – 71 Trofeo Conde of Godó.”

However, Spanish journalist Germán R Abril reported that Alcaraz's absence is preventive for the remainder of the clay swing and that he is no longer injurAlcaraz pulled out of a tournament for the second consecutive week at the start of the clay swing.

The 20-year-old tennis player who has dealt with injuries over the past two years. In 2022, he missed the ATP Finals due to a torn abdominal muscle, and in 2023, he missed the start of the season, including the Australian Open. Additionally, he withdrew from the Swiss Indoors in October due to problems with his left foot. In 2024, he already experienced issues at the Rio Open in February, where an ankle injury forced him to retire after playing just one game.

Paul Annacone voiced his concern about Alcaraz's latest injury and stated on Tennis Channel that "it's starting to get a little disconcerting."

“There’s plenty of time leading into the French Open. But just, whenever you see young players that start to get injured a lot, it just makes me worried a little bit,” said the American, a former ATP world No 3 in doubles and 12 in singles.

“And obviously this kid’s a tremendous athlete and let’s just hope that this injury gets out of him very quickly. But look, two tournaments — that’s a significant loss.”