"Just for precaution": Carlos Alcaraz shares reason behind medical timeout in US Open third-round win against Luciano Darderi

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz has opened up about the reason for having a physio check during the third round win at the US Open. The 22-year-old cemented his spot in the last 16 after beating Italy’s Luciano Darderi in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-4, 6-0.

In the second set, Alcaraz took a medical timeout and called the physio to check his knee. While speaking to the media after the match, Alcaraz stated that the medical check was due to his knee being troublesome and that he was ensuring there was nothing serious.

“Well it was just that game that he brought myself, you know, in the last point after the set, the first step, I just felt something in the knee, I mean it was bothering me,” said Alcaraz. “But you know, it was after five, six points, you know, it was gone. So I was worried after that, that's why I asked for the physio, but it was nothing serious. So just for precaution, and after that I just didn't feel it anymore and it was good. So it was just about nothing serious. Well, yeah, it's something that I'm not used to, it's just the second match that I played, you know, at 11 or 11.30, the first one was in Rome, this is the second time that I played this time. So for me I just went to bed at 11, 11.15, that for me is really weird, to be honest, which I'm really proud about it. But yeah, I just woke up at 7 in the morning just to be ready, to warm up well, feeling awake and feeling good. So it was an unusual time for me, but at the same time it's good because I'm already done with everything, so it's a good time as well.”

In a video that recently appeared on social media, Alcaraz and his fiercest rival, Italy’s Jannik Sinner, were seen talking to each other at a restaurant in New York. Alcaraz was asked about it during a press talk, and he responded by saying that it was a mere ‘coincidence’. Alcaraz also stated that he is open to the idea of having dinner with Sinner, maybe ‘one day’.

“It was a coincidence,” said Alcaraz. “Yeah, I've seen a lot of people talking about like we could have gone, you know, to have lunch or to eat together, but it was just a coincidence. So it is a good restaurant though, but yeah, we run each other, just it was a coincidence. But you know, it wasn't or it wouldn't be weird that day if we go together to have dinner. So probably one day, but you know, just it was a coincidence.”

Alcaraz has been in phenomenal form in the ongoing campaign. He is yet to lose a single set. Talking about his own performance, Alcaraz stated that he is feeling ‘comfortable’ on the court as much as he can. “Well, I mean, I just, I'm trying to feel as much comfortable as I can, you know, off the court, dealing with everything in the best way possible, then stepping on the court without being worried about anything else, just about playing,” said Alcaraz. “That's what I love. And yeah, I'm trying to bring joy to the court, playing with such a smile, like showing that nothing concerns me at all, just about playing. So I'm not thinking about or I'm not paying so much attention about anything else. That's for me and the way that I'm feeling on and off the court.”

Alcaraz’s next round opponent will be France’s Arthur Rinderknech. The 30-year-old cemented his spot in the fourth round of the mega-event after beating fellow countryman Benjamin Bonzi with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2. Talking about his next round’s rival, Alcaraz admitted that he is expecting a difficult contest.

“My coach told me when Arthur won, like, OK, this is your next opponent,” said Alcaraz. “He's really difficult to play against, really aggressive, big serve, trying to go to the net. You know, so it's going to be really difficult. But as I said, I'm just trying to be focused on myself, that I'm playing great tennis. And I'm feeling really comfortable physically, mentally, and just feeling the ball really, really well. So I will try to think just about my goals, about myself and let's see, but it's going to be a really interesting one.”