Two-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz has had to make a regrettable decision, withdrawing from the 2024 Rio Open due to an ankle injury sustained during Tuesday’s match against Thiago Monteiro, as reported by the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).
During the Round of 32 clash, Alcaraz encountered a twist to his right ankle early in the first set. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, he courageously attempted to continue playing. However, after just two points, he was forced to retire from the match.
Monteiro, Alcaraz’s opponent, shared his perspective on the incident, recalling how the severity of the twist became apparent only upon viewing it on the big screen. He expressed his empathy for Alcaraz, recognizing him as a rising star in tennis.
The withdrawal from the Rio Open is particularly disappointing for Alcaraz, who was the runner-up in the same tournament last year and claimed victory at the clay-court event in 2022.
This setback adds to a challenging start to the year for the 20-year-old Spaniard, following a semifinal defeat to Nicolas Jarry at the Argentina Open just a week prior. Although he began 2024 with a promising quarterfinal appearance at the Australian Open, his journey ended with a loss to Alexander Zverev.
Feel better soon and come back stronger 🫶@carlosalcaraz retires in Rio while facing Thiago Monteiro. @RioOpenOficial | #RioOpen10Anos pic.twitter.com/sYBDAGqLYq
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 21, 2024
Alcaraz’s recent form reflects a departure from the dominance he displayed in the past. Since his triumph over Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in July, he hasn’t reached a tournament final, with his last title coming at the Cincinnati Masters in August.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz will focus on recovery and preparation for upcoming tournaments, including the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March, followed by the Miami Open. The French Open at Roland Garros, commencing in May, stands as the next major event on the ATP Tour calendar.
Roland Garros has long been dominated by tennis giants Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, the latter renowned as the “King of Clay.” Djokovic boasts three victories at the tournament, while Nadal’s unparalleled success includes a staggering 14 titles.
The last player outside of Djokovic and Nadal to clinch the French Open was Stan Wawrinka in 2015. Alcaraz will undoubtedly aspire to challenge the dominance of these legends, aiming for a triumphant return to Roland Garros this year, provided his recovery progresses smoothly.
