Carlos Alcaraz reveals which test he passed during Rome win
Carlos Alcaraz came through his first major test following his injury with flying colours as he opened his Italian Open campaign with an impressive win that boosted his chances of being seeded second at Roland Garros.
After playing 10 matches in the space of two weeks as he followed up his Monte Carlo Masters title with a run to the final of the Barcelona Open, Alcaraz picked up two separate injuries during his defeat to Holger Rune in the Spanish city.
He struggled with an adductor muscle injury during the final set and it was later revealed he also suffered a left-hamstring strain.
The Spaniard was eventually forced to withdraw from the Madrid Open, but he was given the all-clear for the Rome ATP Masters event and there were no signs of discomfort during his 82-minute 6-3, 6-3 win over Dusan Lajovic.
“The body is feeling great. I moved well and made a few good sprints without any pain and that is great,” Alcaraz said.
“It was a test for me and I think I passed the test. I tried to feel more comfortable on the court. Moving and not thinking about the injury.”
The time off certainly did him good as he was able to not only recover from his injury, but also spend time with loved ones.
The 22-year-old added: “I took some days without doing anything. Just recovering with the physio. Didn’t do any physical work. Didn’t do any movement at all.
“When I went home on Monday after coming back from Madrid, I did a test. I want to see how it was. It was almost perfect. Then I started to practice.
“It was a mix of everything, you know? It was a mix of taking it easily and, of course, practicing, too, to get ready to Rome.”
Carlos Alcaraz News
Rafael Nadal makes bold prediction about ‘special’ Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
Juan Carlos Ferrero’s public criticism of Carlos Alcaraz labelled ‘a risky move’
Up next is Laslo Djere with the winner of that contest likely to meet Karan Khachanov in the fourth round. If he reaches the quarter-final he will be assured of returning to No 2 in the ATP Rankings after the Italian Open with Alexander Zverev – the defending champion in Rome – slipping down one spot.
Alcaraz currently sits on 7,900 points in the Live Rankings with Zverev on 7,135, but the latter can only earn a maximum of 8,085 points if he defends his title.
The Spaniard, meanwhile, will earn 200 points if he reaches the last eight, which will end Zverev’s hopes of remaining second.
The player who is No 2 will be seeded second behind Jannik Sinner at the French Open, thus can only play the Italian in the final at Roland Garros.
