Worrying footage has emerged on social media of Carlos Alcaraz hurting his ankle while practicing ahead of the start of the US Open.
Alcaraz's emergence is one of the crucial moments in tennis in the last 20 years. With Roger Federer retired and Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic nearing the end, many fans were worried about who the next superstar would be.
It is clear the 21-year-old is ready to fill that void. Not just because of the four Grand Slam titles he has already won but also due to the unique and breathtaking way that the Spaniard plays.
Alcaraz possesses a complete game that encompasses net play, drop shots, amazing athleticism, and outrageous shot-making from all parts of the court. He is a joy to watch.
Those abilities are why the two-time Wimbledon champion is already one of the most marketable sportspeople in the world. Alcaraz was the highest-paid tennis player in the last 12 months, edging out Djokovic to the No. 1 ranking.
He is also known for smiling a lot on the court, repeatedly showing how much he loves the sport. Having an attitude like that during high-pressure environments adds to his marketability.
However, some were shocked when Alcaraz smashed a racket during his Indian Wells Open defeat to Gael Monfils. It was an uncharacteristic moment, and Mats Wilander says his image is no longer 100% perfect after that moment.
Nonetheless, Alcaraz's involvement at big tournaments like the US Open is always positive for the sport. That is why fans will be very concerned about the news of the former world No. 1's physical issue during practice.
As seen in the brief video below, Alcaraz pulled up suddenly while hitting backhands during his session. It seemed like the shot from whoever he was hitting with bounced lower than he expected, and he may have hurt himself when reaching down.
Alcaraz harmed his ankle when attempting to hit the backhand. That is especially concerning because he also injured his ankle during the Rio Open last year. Repeated problems in the same area can lead to future long-term issues for players.
The 2022 US Open champion stopped playing and immediately spoke to his team after pulling up. After a brief conversation, he elected to leave the court and not risk making the issue any worse.
Hopefully, he and his team made that decision only as a precaution. Players will always be on the side of caution before a Grand Slam since they are the biggest tournaments of the season for ATP and WTA stars.
Due to physical concerns, Novak Djokovic also ended his practice session with Holger Rune early. The 24-time Grand Slam champion hit with the Dane for an hour but canceled their second hour of practicing after receiving treatment.
Fans will desperately hope Djokovic and Alcaraz are fully fit to compete at Flushing Meadows. They are two of the biggest names in the sport and attract numerous fans. Organizers may be concerned if the pair are not ready to compete at this year's US Open.
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