Carlos Alcaraz reveals severity of his injury and when he will return to action

Ewan West
Carlos Alcaraz leaves the court after ankle injury at Rio Open
Carlos Alcaraz leaves the court after his injury in Rio

Carlos Alcaraz has provided a reassuring update on the ankle injury that forced him to retire from his opening round match at the 2024 Rio Open. 

The world No 2 explained that an MRI scan he underwent revealed that he had suffered a “grade II lateral sprain” that would keep him out for only “a few days.”

The two-time Grand Slam champion declared he would be fit to compete in his Las Vegas exhibition with Rafael Nadal and at the Indian Wells Masters — which will both take place early in March.

During his first round match against Brazilian Thiago Monteiro at the ATP 500 tournament in Rio on Tuesday, Alcaraz retired after just two games after rolling his ankle on the second point of the match.

The 20-year-old was looking to add to the good memories from his previous appearances in Rio, having won his first ATP match at the event in 2020, claimed the title in 2022, and reached the final in 2023.

READ MORE: Juan Carlos Ferrero addresses if Carlos Alcaraz’s goal to break Novak Djokovic records is a good thing

Alcaraz, who was the top seed at the clay-court tournament, is still looking for his first title since his stunning victory at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships.

In a post on his social media accounts on Wednesday, Alcaraz wrote: “I just had an MRI on my ankle after yesterday’s injury.

“After the meeting with my doctor @drlopezmartinez and my physiotherapists @juanjo_moreno_m and @sergiokine the diagnosis is a grade II lateral sprain. I have a sprain that will keep me out for a few days! See you in Las Vegas and Indian Wells!”

Alcaraz will take on legendary Spanish countryman Nadal in an exhibition event named the ‘Netflix Slam’ in Las Vegas on March 3, with the event to be broadcast on the streaming platform.

The world No 2 will then compete at the 2024 Indian Wells Masters, which will run from March 6–17. Alcaraz is the defending champion at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament, having defeated Daniil Medvedev in the 2023 final.

Like Alcaraz, Nadal is expected to make his next appearance in the Las Vegas exhibition, before returning to competitive action in Indian Wells. The 22-time major champion hoped to return from his latest injury setback at the ATP 250 tournament in Doha this week, but he was forced to withdraw.

READ MORE: Juan Carlos Ferrero highlights difference between coaching Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev