"I was thinking about it all the time": Carlos Alcaraz had ankle injury constantly on the brain and couldn't practice to high intensity ahead of Indian Wells
ATPSaturday, 09 March 2024 at 22:30
Carlos
Alcaraz admitted that he couldn't train normally in Indian Wells before his
triumph over Matteo Arnaldi (6-7, 6-0, 6-1). The defending champion showcased
good physical condition, considering a highly competitive first set from the
Italian, who pushed his opponent to the maximum.
After a
closely contested first set in which Arnaldi took the advantage in the
tie-break, the world No. 40 couldn't keep up with Alcaraz. The latter outplayed
him tactically and physically in the following sets, advancing to the third
round.
The
preparations for the 2-times Grand Slam champion weren't easy before making his
debut at the Tennis Paradise. Alcaraz suffered an injury during the South
American Golden Swing when he had to withdraw in the first round of the Rio
Open after playing only two games against local player Thiago Monteiro.
There were
doubts about Alcaraz's participation in the Sunshine Double due to ankle
problems. Although the 2-times Grand Slam champion performed well at the
beginning of his title defense, he emphasized that he continued training
carefully due to his injury:
"I'm
coming here with not too many matches. I think last year I came here with more
matches in my bag with more rhythm. Now I'm recovering from injury on the
ankle. I was thinking about it all the time and I couldn't practise as much as
I wanted, with the high intensity," the world No. 2 said.
According
to Alcaraz himself, he wasn't sure how his ankle would respond in an official
match of high intensity and was nervous during the first set to avoid any
unexpected injury:
"But
right now I'm getting better and feeling really, really well. But I think I
have to get a good rhythm step by step. I think that's the big difference
between last year and this one."
"This
[is a] really special tournament for me. I want to do it well. This is the
first match playing high intensity and I didn't know how it's going respond,
the ankle. [There were] a lot of things coming to my mind. I couldn't be
focused 100 per cent in the match and it made me get a little bit nervous,"
Alcaraz concluded.
His next
challenge in Indian Wells will be against the 31st seed Felix Auger-Aliassime,
who comes off a victory over Constant Lestienne (6-4, 6-1).
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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