Andy Roddick gives his verdict on Carlos Alcaraz injury concerns after latest setback

Ewan West
Carlos Alcaraz reacts at the 2024 Miami Open
Carlos Alcaraz reacts during his defeat to Grigor Dimitrov at the 2024 Miami Open

Andy Roddick has shared his thoughts on Carlos Alcaraz’s injury after the two-time Grand Slam champion withdrew from the 2024 Barcelona Open. 

The former world No 1 feels the fact Alcaraz’s issue is an arm injury is “a silver lining”, while expressing his hope it is not “structurally off” as that would be “a lot more concerning.”

Alcaraz withdrew from this week’s Barcelona Open due to the same injury that forced him to miss the Monte Carlo Masters last week. The world No 3 won the ATP 500 tournament in Barcelona in both 2022 and 2023.

This is the second injury setback of the 2024 season for Alcaraz after the 20-year-old Spaniard rolled his ankle in his opening match at the Rio Open in February.

READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz’s injury record unwrapped: growing pains or long-term problem?

In a social media post on Sunday, the tournament announced Alcaraz’s withdrawal: “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.”

Speaking on Tennis Channel, Roddick, a 2003 US Open champion, discussed the physical issue that has forced Alcaraz to miss his first two events of the clay-court season.

“You know he doesn’t want to miss any of these clay-court events, especially in his home country,” said the 41-year-old American.

“I guess the silver lining is that it’s an arm injury. Hopefully, it’s not structurally off. That would be a lot more concerning. But at least he can keep his legs in shape.

“He’s not going to be risking fitness with the arm injury. It’s not as if he’s going to come back, hopefully not looking for his pacing with his legs, his movement. He can still do all of those drills, better safe than sorry.

“He has entered the part of his career where you start at the Slams and work backwards with your priorities. Hopefully, that’s what he’s doing here.”

Alcaraz is next due to compete at the Madrid Open, where he is the two-time defending champion. The Masters 1000 tournament will run from April 23 to May 5.

READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz issues worrying update about his forearm ahead of Madrid Open