Carlos Alcaraz confirmed that the tape visible on his knee during his arrival at the ATP Finals in Turin is merely a precautionary measure.
Addressing reporters at his pre-tournament press conference, the world number three dismissed concerns about his physical fitness, stating, “No, I can only walk, that’s it.”
The Spaniard explained that his recent schedule, which included a heavy workload of matches in a short window, necessitated extra care. “I played a lot of matches in a few days, some of them very demanding,” Alcaraz said.
He said that managing minor physical issues is a standard part of the routine for professional tennis players, adding that he currently feels “good” and is focused on maintaining his condition throughout the tournament.
Alcaraz’s arrival in Italy followed a demanding stretch of indoor hard-court events in Vienna and Paris. Between October 27 and November 8, he competed in nine matches over 13 days, securing titles at both tournaments. The intensity of these matches, which included several tie-breaks and a two-hour and 45-minute battle against Taylor Fritz at the Paris Masters, placed additional strain on his body.
The faster surface and higher pace of play on indoor hard courts are known to increase the load on a player’s knees. Alcaraz has previously spoken about the physical toll of the continuous tennis calendar, suggesting that the lack of recovery time contributes to recurring injuries.
This season, he has already demonstrated a cautious approach to his health, notably sitting out for 139 days earlier this year to recover from a wrist injury rather than rushing back to the court.
Since returning to competition after the U.S. Open, Alcaraz has been in strong form, winning 20 of his 22 matches and claiming three titles. He is currently competing in the John Newcombe Group alongside Daniil Medvedev, Frances Tiafoe, and Andrey Rublev. Across his career, Alcaraz holds a 10-4 head-to-head record against this specific group of opponents.
This marks the fifth year Alcaraz has qualified for the season-ending championships, though he has yet to win the title. His best performance came last year when he reached the final before losing to Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz, who famously defeated Sinner to win the Italian Open on clay last year, expressed a desire to finish his season with a high-level performance at the Inalpi Arena.
Alcaraz was scheduled to begin his campaign in the round-robin stage, with his first match set for Monday, November 11.
