Carlos Alcaraz reassured fans he will be “at 100%” for the US Open despite halting his training session in New York on Saturday as a precaution after twisting his ankle.
The four-time Grand Slam champion has recently struggled with injuries, including an ankle issue that led to his withdrawal from the first round of the Rio Open earlier this year. On Saturday, Alcaraz stopped his practice with Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo to avoid worsening the injury but remained optimistic about his participation in the tournament.
“I just stopped my practice for precaution. I didn’t feel comfortable enough to continue, just in case things might get worse,” Alcaraz explained at a press conference. “A few hours later, I feel good, and I plan to resume practice tomorrow without concerns.”
The 21-year-old, who won the US Open in 2022, will face Australian Li Tu in his opening match at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday. Despite his recent loss to Novak Djokovic in the Olympics final and a defeat to Gael Monfils in the Cincinnati Open Round of 32, Alcaraz remains focused and positive.
Reflecting on his Olympic loss, Alcaraz acknowledged the disappointment but also recognized the silver medal as a significant achievement. “It was a tough moment, but I realize now that the silver medal is something to be proud of. I’ll approach future important matches with a better mindset.”
Alcaraz also noted that his preparation for the US Open, despite fewer hard-court matches, has been similar to his successful approaches at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, where he adapted well with limited match play on those surfaces.
