Carlos Alcaraz acknowledged that he is still not totally recovered, and his condition leading up to the 2024 Madrid Open has generated a lot of discussion.
Alcaraz’s arm issue, which appeared to affect his forehand, caused him to miss two events. His trademark stroke, the forehand, is a big component of his tennis-court skill set, and he didn’t feel comfortable playing when he wasn’t using it well.
He claimed there was no injury because prior testing had shown no problems, but he just wanted to give himself more time to get ready for the forthcoming Madrid Open.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Madrid Open, Alcaraz acknowledged that he’s headed in the right way despite having to miss some significant tournaments, including the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open, which was really painful for him.
“I think we are headed in the right direction, and if everything continues as it is, I think we will arrive. Naturally, I would want to make my debut on Saturday and I would prefer to have one more day, but these things usually come with a price, so I will have to make do with what I have to.”
Alcaraz’s wish for one more day is intriguing, but it also makes sense. It’s evident that he wants to be well prepared for the ATP Masters 1000 event, but he doesn’t appear to be quite ready just yet.
It’s possible that he will arrive during the event, but that is not ideal. In the end, he is a tennis player, and he is accustomed to competing despite a variety of medical conditions.
Despite his two previous Madrid Open victories, his arm problems are undoubtedly something to keep an eye on. He worked out with a brace before the competition, and they could have played a role in the weeks preceding Roland Garros.