Alcaraz’s Roland-Garros Participation in Doubt After Injury at Laureus Awards
Madrid – May 6, 2024 – World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz left the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid on Monday with visible discomfort, casting immediate doubt over his availability for the upcoming French Open, which begins May 26 at Roland-Garros.
The 21-year-old Spaniard, who won the 2022 US Open and reached the Wimbledon final last year, was seen limping as he exited the venue following the awards gala. Spanish media outlets including Marca and AS reported that Alcaraz had sustained an ankle injury during the event, though no official statement has been issued by his team or the ATP Tour as of Tuesday morning.
Alcaraz’s potential absence would be a significant blow to the French Open, where he is the defending champion after winning his first Grand Slam title on the clay courts of Paris in 2022. His participation is further complicated by a recent withdrawal from the Madrid Open due to a right forearm injury, which kept him out of competition since his third-round loss in Barcelona on April 20.
“He’s been dealing with some discomfort,” said a source close to the player’s team, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The next few days will be crucial in determining whether he can compete in Paris.”
The Laureus Awards, held annually to honor sporting excellence across disciplines, took place at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid. Alcaraz was nominated for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award but did not win, with the honor going to Argentine footballer Lionel Messi.
Tennis analysts note that Alcaraz’s clay-court pedigree is strong, with titles in Barcelona, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro prior to his 2022 Roland-Garros victory. However, his recent injury history raises concerns about his ability to withstand the physical demands of a seven-match Grand Slam campaign on the slow, high-bouncing clay surface.
The ATP Tour has not released any official injury update regarding Alcaraz, and his agent, Albertober
As of Tuesday, May 7, Alcaraz has not practiced on clay since his withdrawal from the Madrid Open, and his scheduled practice session at the Manolo Santana Racquet Club in Madrid was canceled on Monday afternoon.
Tennis fans and pundits alike are waiting for an official update from Alcaraz’s team, which is expected to come later this week. The French Open draw is scheduled to be released on May 22, leaving a narrow window for a final decision on his participation.
For now, the tennis world holds its breath as the young star navigates what could be a pivotal moment in his burgeoning career. Will he overcome the latest setback to defend his title, or will injury force him to miss the clay-court season’s pinnacle?
Stay tuned to Archysport for the latest updates on Carlos Alcaraz’s status and all French Open developments.
