Carlos Alcaraz Ankle Scare: Tennis Star Fights Through Injury for Japan Open Win

Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the second round of the Japan Open on Thursday. The world number two defeated Argentina’s Sebastian Baez in straight sets. The match in Tokyo was dramatically interrupted by a serious-looking ankle injury.

Alcaraz received medical treatment and heavy strapping before continuing. He later revealed he was initially worried about the severity of the injury. The victory extends his impressive season record to 63 wins.

Match Details and Injury Incident

The incident occurred early in the first set with the score tied at 2-2. Alcaraz turned his left ankle on the hard court. Play was stopped immediately for medical attention.

After extensive taping, Alcaraz returned to the court. He then broke Baez’s serve to take a 5-4 lead. According to Reuters, rain caused another delay shortly after.

When play resumed under the roof, Alcaraz found his rhythm. He closed out the first set 6-4. He dominated the second set, winning it 6-2 to secure the match in just over ninety minutes.

Alcaraz’s Post-Match Reaction and Recovery Focus

Speaking after the match, Alcaraz admitted his initial fear. “I was scared too, I’m not going to lie,” he said. “When I landed on the ankle, I was worried to be honest because it didn’t feel good at the beginning.”

He expressed happiness at being able to finish the match strongly. His focus now shifts entirely to recovery before his next match. The Spaniard is scheduled to face either Zizou Bergs or Alejandro Tabilo next.

This performance follows his recent success at the Laver Cup in San Francisco. Alcaraz has now won 48 of his last 51 matches. This consistency keeps him firmly in the hunt for the year-end top ranking.

Carlos Alcaraz once again demonstrated his resilience by battling through a significant ankle injury. His immediate recovery will be crucial for his Japan Open title hopes and the remainder of the season.

Thought you’d like to know

How serious is Carlos Alcaraz’s ankle injury?

The full extent is not yet known. Alcaraz said it “didn’t feel good” initially but he played through the pain. He will likely undergo a scan to assess the damage.

Who will Carlos Alcaraz play next at the Japan Open?

He is set to face the winner of the match between Zizou Bergs of Belgium and Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo. The second-round match will be a test of his recovery.

Did Carlos Alcaraz win his first match after the US Open?

Yes, this was his first tournament match since winning the US Open. He also competed successfully for Team Europe at the Laver Cup last weekend.

What was the final score against Sebastian Baez?

Alcaraz won the match in two sets. The final score was 6-4, 6-2 despite the early injury disruption and rain delays.

Why was there tension with Alcaraz’s coaching box?

Reports indicate his team appeared to urge caution after he injured his ankle. There was a discussion during a rain delay about whether he should continue playing.