What Happened to Carlos Alcaraz in Paris? Why Did Carlos Alcaraz Retire? What Injury Did Alcaraz Have?
by Rubaditsha
Updated Jul 17, 2023
What Happened to Carlos Alcaraz in Paris?
Carlos Alcaraz faced physical difficulties during his match against Novak Djokovic at the French Open in Paris. The match started off as a highly anticipated showdown, with both players trading blows and captivating the crowd for well over two hours. Djokovic needed to bring his A-game to claim the first set 6-3, but Alcaraz found his rhythm and raised his level to win the second set 7-5. The stage was set for a thrilling third set and potentially more.
However, during the match, Alcaraz suddenly stopped after jumping on a Djokovic serve and felt intense pain in his lower right leg. It turned out that his calf had seized painfully, and cramps began spreading throughout his body, affecting not just his legs but also his arms.
From that point on, the match took a different turn. Alcaraz refused to give up, showing great determination, but his movement was severely hampered. He resembled a bird whose wings had been clipped, unable to move freely and perform at his usual level.
While physical difficulties are not uncommon for players, especially at this stage of their career, it was surprising to witness Alcaraz, who had displayed no serious weaknesses before, suffering in such a manner. Despite being only 20 years old, he had already achieved significant milestones in his career, including winning a grand slam and triumphing in marathon matches.
His victory at the US Open the previous year, after a grueling five-hour and fifteen-minute quarter-final match, showcased his resilience and ability to perform under intense physical demands. Playing against Djokovic, a 22-time grand slam champion, requires a level of perfection, particularly in critical moments.
In the early stages of the match, Alcaraz seemed irritated, frayed, and under pressure, committing uncharacteristic errors from the baseline. He appeared visibly stressed, frequently turning to his box for support and guidance. Djokovic, known for his aggressive style, took advantage of Alcaraz's vulnerabilities, playing at a high level and disrupting his opponent's rhythm.
The Serbian's control and precision on his service games pushed Alcaraz to his defensive limits. Although Alcaraz displayed incredible resilience, the physical toll of the match eventually caught up with him, affecting his performance. The experience of facing Djokovic at a grand slam proved to be a different proposition for Alcaraz.
The nerves and tension of playing in such a high-stakes match against a seasoned champion like Djokovic were evident. Alcaraz acknowledged the intensity and pressure he felt throughout the first two sets, emphasizing the challenge of playing against someone of Djokovic's caliber.
Djokovic himself understood the mental and emotional impact that such circumstances could have on a player, particularly in one of the greatest tournaments in the world. He expressed sympathy towards Alcaraz and recognized the expectations and pressures that the young Spaniard faced, as he was not the underdog in this match but rather expected to win.
Alcaraz sees this match as a learning experience, and Djokovic echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that Alcaraz has time on his side to further develop his game. Despite the physical difficulties he encountered, Alcaraz's talent and potential remain undeniable, and he has a promising future ahead of him.
As for Djokovic, he advanced to the final with a chance to secure his 23rd grand slam victory, potentially surpassing Rafael Nadal's record. He will face Casper Ruud, who reached the final after defeating Alexander Zverev in straight sets.
Why Did Carlos Alcaraz Retire?
Carlos Alcaraz retired from his Paris Masters quarter-final against Holger Rune due to an abdominal injury. After losing the first set and trailing 3-1 in the second-set tiebreak, Alcaraz decided to stop playing. He had received treatment for his left side during the previous changeover, but the issue worsened, leading to his retirement.
The Spanish teenager, who recently won the US Open, had been hoping to secure his third Masters title of the year after previous victories in Miami and Madrid. Winning the Paris Masters would have solidified his position as the year-end world number one before the ATP Finals in Turin later in the month. Unfortunately, his participation in the upcoming event is now uncertain due to the injury.
Alcaraz had already been dealing with a knee injury when he arrived in Paris, although he had downplayed its significance earlier in the week. However, during the match against Rune, his abdominal injury flared up and impacted his ability to play at his best. Alcaraz described feeling discomfort and pain in his abdominal area, which affected his movement and shots, especially when stretching, serving, and hitting his forehand. Any twisting or turning of his body exacerbated the problem.
Given the severity of the injury and the impact it had on his game, Alcaraz made the difficult decision to retire in order to take care of his abdominal issue. His focus now is on recovering and returning to full fitness for the ATP Finals. He mentioned undergoing tests to assess the injury's severity and expressed his determination to be at 100% for the upcoming tournament.
It is disappointing for Alcaraz, as he had been in excellent form and had high hopes for the Paris Masters. However, injuries are an unfortunate part of professional sports, and in this case, the abdominal injury became too significant for him to continue competing in the tournament. His retirement not only ends his run in Paris but also raises uncertainty about his participation in the ATP Finals.
What Injury Did Alcaraz Have?
Carlos Alcaraz suffered from an abdominal injury during his Paris Masters quarter-final against Holger Rune. The injury forced him to retire from the match after losing the first set and trailing 3-1 in the second-set tiebreak. Initially, Alcaraz received treatment for his left side during a changeover, but his abdominal injury worsened as the match progressed.
He described feeling something wrong in his abdominal area, leading to discomfort and pain. The injury affected his ability to stretch, serve well, and hit his forehand effectively. Movements that involved twisting or turning his body exacerbated the pain and discomfort in his abdomen.
While Alcaraz didn't provide specific details about the exact nature or severity of the abdominal injury, he highlighted that it limited his mobility and impacted multiple aspects of his game. He emphasized the difficulty he experienced in stretching, serving, and executing his shots properly due to the pain and discomfort in his abdominal region.
The injury became significant enough that Alcaraz decided to retire from the match in order to prioritize his recovery and well-being. His focus shifted towards taking care of the abdominal issue and aiming to regain full fitness for future tournaments, particularly the ATP Finals.
It's worth noting that Alcaraz had been dealing with a knee injury before arriving in Paris. However, during his quarter-final match, the abdominal injury took center stage as it hindered his performance and ultimately led to his retirement from the tournament.
Carlos Alcaraz Age
Carlos Alcaraz is 20 years old. Carlos Alcaraz Garfia, born on May 5, 2003, hails from El Palmar, Murcia, Spain. His parents, Carlos Alcaraz González and Virginia Garfia Escandón, have played an integral role in his life. Carlos is one of four siblings within the family.
Alcaraz's tennis journey commenced at the Real Sociedad Club de Campo de Murcia, also known as the Royal Society Murciashire Club. It was there that his father held the esteemed position of tennis academy director. The club became the foundation of his early development as a player, providing him with the necessary support and environment to nurture his talent.
In 2018, Alcaraz took a significant step in his career when he joined Juan Carlos Ferrero's Equelite JC Ferrero Sport Academy. The renowned academy, founded by former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, has served as a breeding ground for numerous tennis talents. Alcaraz's enrollment at the academy marked a crucial transition in his training, exposing him to high-level coaching, state-of-the-art facilities, and a competitive atmosphere that pushed him to further excel.
By starting his tennis journey at the Real Sociedad Club de Campo de Murcia under the guidance of his father and later honing his skills at Juan Carlos Ferrero's prestigious academy, Carlos Alcaraz Garfia established a solid foundation for his ascent in the world of professional tennis. These early experiences laid the groundwork for the remarkable success he has achieved at such a young age.
Who is Carlos Alcaraz?
Carlos Alcaraz Garfia, born on May 5, 2003, is a Spanish professional tennis player who currently holds the top position in the ATP singles rankings. He has had a remarkable career, winning twelve ATP Tour-level singles titles, which include notable victories at the Wimbledon Championships in 2023 and the US Open in 2022.
Alcaraz has also secured four Masters 1000 titles. Notably, his win at the US Open made him the youngest male player to reach the top of the singles rankings, achieving this feat at the age of 19 years, 4 months, and 6 days, as well as the first teenager in the Open Era to hold the top spot.
During his junior career, Alcaraz reached a ranking as high as world No. 22 and claimed two titles on the ITF Junior Circuit. He turned professional in 2018 and quickly made an impact, winning three titles on the ITF Men's World Tennis Tour and four on the ATP Challenger Tour.
His breakthrough came in 2021 when he reached his first ATP Tour final at the Croatia Open, ultimately winning the title. Following this success, he entered the top 50 rankings after an impressive quarterfinal run at the US Open. He concluded the year by triumphing at the 2021 Next Generation ATP Finals in Milan.
In 2022, Alcaraz continued his ascent in the tennis world. He secured his first ATP 500 title at the Rio Open in February and went on to win his first Masters 1000 title at the Miami Open and a second ATP 500 title at the Barcelona Open in April. These victories propelled him into the top 10 rankings. His breakthrough year culminated in September when he defeated Casper Ruud in the final to claim the men's singles title at the 2022 US Open.
Recognized for his exceptional achievements, Alcaraz was honored with the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award in May 2023. A few months later, he added another major title to his collection by winning Wimbledon in July 2023.
Overall, Carlos Alcaraz's career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable, with numerous titles, records, and accolades, solidifying his position as one of the most promising and accomplished players in the world of tennis.
Full name
Carlos Alcaraz Garfia
Country (sports)
Spain
Residence
Villena, Spain
Born
5 May 2003 (age 20)
Birthplace
El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
Height
1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) [1]
Turned pro
2018
Plays
Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Coach
Juan Carlos Ferrero
What Happened to Carlos Alcaraz in Paris:FAQs
His full name Carlos Alcaraz Garfia.
Carlos Alcaraz faced physical difficulties during his match against Novak Djokovic at the French Open in Paris. The match started off as a highly anticipated showdown, with both players trading blows and captivating the crowd for well over two hours. Djokovic needed to bring his A-game to claim the first set 6-3, but Alcaraz found his rhythm and raised his level to win the second set 7-5. The stage was set for a thrilling third set and potentially more.
Carlos Alcaraz resides in Villena, Spain.
Carlos Alcaraz was born on May 5, 2003, making him 20 years old.
Carlos Alcaraz retired from his Paris Masters quarter-final against Holger Rune due to an abdominal injury. After losing the first set and trailing 3-1 in the second-set tiebreak, Alcaraz decided to stop playing. He had received treatment for his left side during the previous changeover, but the issue worsened, leading to his retirement.