"I’m not going to go to the World Cup and shake 250 hands" - Wrist support used for caution over injury setback according to Roddick as Alcaraz closes in on return

Carlos Alcaraz continues to be sidelined with a wrist injury. Fans have been patiently waiting for his return to court, and that patience was tested when he was seen wearing a support that may have indicated a longer spell away from the court. However, former US Open champion Andy Roddick believes that this is more of a cautious approach rather than another setback.

The Spaniard began the year by winning the Australian Open, competing the career Grand Slam. It seemed like everything was going his way, but tragedy struck on home soil. At the Barcelona Open. he felt a sharp influx of pain in his right wrist and was forced to withdraw from the tournament.

The results were not great. He would end up skipping the rest of the clay swing while not being able to step foot on a grass court while the ATP Tour continued without him.

He will also not feature at the Canadian Open or any tournaments beforehand with the North American hardcourt swing a popular prediction for his return to action. The title defences at the Cincinnati Open and US Open seem to be the port of call but whether he will be fit enough to compete is another question entirely.

Alcaraz was a triumphant figure last Sunday. He was at the MetLife Stadium watching on as Spain put in a comprehensive display to overpower Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final, backing up their Euros success of two years ago to send the country into delirium.

The 23-year-old enjoyed the special occasion but was cautious in the process with a support mechanism on his right wrist. Many fans are now confused on whether the injury is more serious than first seemed and a longer period of time will have to be completed before he makes a comeback.

Roddick analysed the situation, suggesting a different and even logical reason to why Alcaraz had the support on. “So, I was like, ‘oh gosh, that’s not great’, but also, if I’m him, if you’re in a bunch of people and you’ve had a wrist injury, I would 100% have some marker that’s like, ‘don’t come up and shake my hand’. Maybe that’s all it was,” Roddick commented on Served.

“It’s interesting, ’cause all we want is for him to be back in the mix, and pragmatically I’m going, ‘take your time, long road ahead’, and it seems like he’s done that."

He admitted that on the face of it Alcaraz is in no hurry to get back competing. The seven-time Grand Slam champion is still so young and has a lot of tennis to still be played over the next decade and even beyond.

“It doesn’t seem like he’s rushing something or announcing a timeline where you’re going, ‘oof, are you sure?’ Listen, wrap, no wrap, I would have something, even if it was mostly fine," he continued.

“Even if it was like, ‘I’m close, I’m hitting balls’, whatever, I’m not going to go to the World Cup and shake 250 hands, and some guy that’s been on one comes and goes… like, I get it. So, hopefully that’s all it is. But obviously, we’re gonna have all eyes on the wrist area always, until we see him come out and he’s ripping it. So, I don’t know.”

Now down to world number three thanks to the number of ranking points lost and the progress of Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz is desperate to stamp his authority once more on court. He has seen Jannik Sinner stride off into the distance with a number of Masters 1000 titles and a successful defence of his Wimbledon triumph.

If Alcaraz does not feature, in North America, he will lose a whopping 3,000 points. This will get him in touching distance of the pack behind him and even allow them to catch up and surpass him in the ATP Rankings. Tennis fans continue to play the waiting game as they bide their time before a sign of his return is showcased.