Carlos Alcaraz makes ‘difficult’ injury confession ahead of Monte Carlo Masters

Ewan West 07 Apr 2024 2:43 PM

Carlos Alcaraz in a press conference at the Australian Open

A close-up of Carlos Alcaraz during a press conference

Carlos Alcaraz has admitted his first few matches of the clay-court season will likely be “difficult” due to a lingering injury concern ahead of his appearance at the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters.

The world No 3 explained he was “really careful” on his ankle during his first practice session on clay after suffering an injury in his most recent match on the surface in Rio.

In his opening round match against Thiago Monteiro at the ATP 500 clay event in Rio in February, Alcaraz was forced to retire after just two games having rolled his ankle.

The 20-year-old made his return to the court against Rafael Nadal in the Netflix Slam exhibition in Las Vegas on March 3, where his movement appeared tentative at times.

Alcaraz showed no signs of physical issues in his next tournament, though, as he dropped just two sets en route to winning the Indian Wells Open to claim his first title since Wimbledon in July. He then fell to a straight-set quarter-final defeat to eventual finalist Grigor Dimitrov at the Miami Open.

READ MORE: ‘Carlos Alcaraz could become second most important player ever after GOAT Roger Federer’

The Spaniard is set to make just his second career appearance at the Monte Carlo Masters, having lost to Sebastian Korda in the second round in 2022 in his only previous match.

In an interview with Eurosport, Alcaraz clarified he is not experiencing any pain in his ankle, but expressed caution on his return to the surface on which he suffered the injury.

“Well honestly, I thought about it in my first practice on clay, with all the slices and all that stuff. I was really careful on it. But after the first hour, I just try not to think about it and played normally,” he explained.

“Right now, I don’t feel pain on the ankle, I am moving normally. It’s something that I have to trust, and let’s see. But it’s gonna be difficult probably – the first matches with the ankle. In my mind probably there’s gonna be thoughts on it.”

The two-time Grand Slam champion spoke about how he rediscovered his joy during the Sunshine Double, while expressing excitement about the clay-court season.

“I learned a lot from the tournaments that I have played since the season began. I’m glad to find my tennis again in the last two tournaments,” Alcaraz said.

“All my life, I’ve played on clay courts so I know better how to play on the surface. [In] the last two tournaments, I recovered my joy and my game and I’m glad to be able to show that level on clay again.”

Alcaraz also revealed playing golf is helping his tennis, but admitted he is a long way off challenging his great compatriot Nadal at the sport.

“[Rafa and I] spoke about playing golf [together] one day. I can’t compete against him in golf; I’d have to practise for years,” declared the Spaniard.

“It’s something that has helped me a lot to turn my mind off, and thanks to that, I can play better on the tennis court. I try to play golf as much as I can to disconnect and it’s really helpful when I’m not training or in competition.”

Alcaraz is the No 3 seed in Monte Carlo and will face either Felix Auger-Aliassime or a qualifier in his opening match.