T Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz with a pained face. © AFP/APA / PORCIUNCULA

Injury shock at Alcaraz – Sinner is getting closer

World number two Carlos Alcaraz injured his ankle in Rio de Janeiro. Is the 20-year-old possibly even threatened with a long break?

For Alcaraz, the most important tennis tournament in South America, the ATP 500 competition in Rio, is over after the first round. The big favorite from Spain had to end his appearance against the Brazilian Thiago Monteiro (ATP 117) early.


Alcaraz injured his ankle on Wednesday night (CET) when the score was 1-1 and had to leave the field after just ten minutes of play.


It was not initially known how serious the injury was. In the press conference that followed, the exceptional talent certainly didn't seem worried. “I spoke to the physiotherapist on court and we decided that I would continue playing to see if it got better,” said the Wimbledon winner: “That wasn’t the case, so we preferred to be cautious and withdraw.”

Carlos Alcaraz signals: I can't take it anymore. © AFP/APA / PABLO PORCIUNCULA


So far, 2024 has not gone according to plan for the exceptional player. At the Australian Open he failed in the quarter-finals and in Buenos Aires last week he lost in the semi-finals against Nicolas Jarry (ATP 21). For comparison: last year he won the tournament in Argentina and reached the final in Rio.

Sinner's big chance

The result? Alcaraz loses 300 points in South America. If he gets fit by the start of the tournament in Indian Wells, he will have to defend his tournament victory from last year and at the same time 1000 points. Jannik Sinner, who is currently only 535 points behind the Spaniard in the world rankings, will also be serving in the USA. Since Alcaraz still has a lot of world ranking points to defend after Indian Wells, Sinner could climb to second place in the rankings as early as early summer if his form continues to be steep.

The world rankings (as of February 19.2.24, XNUMX)

PosNameCountryAgePoints
1.Novak DjokovicSRB369.855
2.Carlos AlcarazESP209.105*
3.Jannik SinnerITA/Sexten228.270
4.Daniil MedvedevRUS288.265
5.Andrey rublevRUS265.105
6.Alexander ZverevGER265.030
7.Holger RuneDNK203.700
8.Hubert HurkaczPOL273.600
9.Alex De MinaurAUS253.210
10Taylor FritzUSA263.065

*Alcaraz will be deducted 300 points for Rio.

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Martin Senoner

Already in the spring, when he wins one of the 1000 March tournaments in the USA

21.02.2024 09:16

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