Carlos Alcaraz stepped onto the central court in Turin wearing a bulky knee sleeve on his right leg, drawing attention during a practice session that included a brief reunion with his former coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Mundo Deportivo reported.
The practice session lasted an hour at the Inalpi Arena ahead of the ATP Finals. Alcaraz and Ferrero split up on December 17, 2025, during the preseason in a sudden parting of ways that left no room for further talks.
Their paths crossed again when Alcaraz reached out near the net, extending his arm before pulling Ferrero into an embrace in front of the player’s team. Ferrero is in Turin this week after joining the coaching staff of American player Ben Shelton.
Beyond the reunion at the net, observers in Turin noted Alcaraz’s physical preparation and the visible support on his right leg. The world number one shifted from standard kinesiology tape to a larger sleeve covering his knee joint and lower leg.
Alcaraz played nine consecutive matches during a stretch that included indoor hard-court titles in Vienna and Paris, placing heavy strain on his joints during explosive movements and heavy serves. The Spanish player has repeatedly described the sleeve as a precaution.
Winning the ATP Finals requires five victories, a demanding physical gauntlet Alcaraz completed in 2025 before losing the championship match to Jannik Sinner. An injury late that season forced him to withdraw from the Davis Cup finals, an absence he aims to avoid repeating this week.
