Carlos Alcaraz, currently ranked world number two, announced that he will be sidelined for a few days due to a grade II lateral ankle sprain. This injury occurred during the ATP Rio Open, prompting him to undergo an MRI.
Alcaraz took to Instagram to share the news, stating, “I just had an MRI on my ankle after yesterday’s injury. After the meeting with my doctor and my physiotherapists, 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!”
Despite this setback, Alcaraz is optimistic about his upcoming title defense at Indian Wells, following an exhibition match against Rafael Nadal in Las Vegas.
Alcaraz was injured on the second point of his first-round match against Brazilian wild card Thiago Monteiro, his right foot catching in the red clay surface at the Jockey Club Brasiliero. After falling hard he limped to his chair, where during a medical timeout a trainer taped up his swollen right ankle. He returned to win the interrupted opening game but after dropping his serve in the second decided to call it quits. The fixture at the Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort is part of Nadal’s return to the courts after missing almost a year with injury.
Alcaraz said in his post-match press conference that physiotherapists had indicated the injury was “not serious” and Wednesday’s further tests bore that out.
