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Topics: Carlos Alcaraz, Tennis, Injury
James Taylor
Topics: Carlos Alcaraz, Tennis, Injury
Carlos Alcaraz has released a statement after collapsing to the floor with an injury during his opening round match at the Japan Open.
The 22-year-old Spaniard managed to overcome an injury scare and defeat Sebastian Baez 6-4, 6-2 in the round of 32, but there were concerns over his fitness. In the fifth game of the opening set, Alcaraz injured his left leg as he rushed forward from the baseline.
He fell to the floor and lay on his back, holding his head and grabbing his ankle in pain. After receiving medical attention, Alcaraz returned to the court and came through to win in straight sets.
Although he advanced, the Spaniard admitted he was concerned that he would be unable to recover in time for the next round.
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He said: "Let's see but I think It's not going to be easy the next day and a half for me so I will try to recover and to do whatever it takes to be ready for the next round to try to play and have level enough to compete."
If he does recover in time, Alcaraz will face Belgium's Zizou Bergs in the next round. Bergs lined up the match after beating Chengdu Open champion Alejandro Tabilo 1-6, 7-6, 7-6.
The win puts his season record to a stunning 63-7, having won 48 of his last 51 matches.
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In April of this year, after losing the Barcelona Open final to Holger Rune, Alcaraz opened up on some discomfort he had been feeling i his right adductor and left hamstring.
It saw the Spaniard withdraw from the Madrid Open to avoid aggravating them and keep him healthy for Wimbledon, where he lost in the final to fierce rival Jannik Sinner.
He has a somewhat open approach to injury, saying he will 'listen to his body' when it tells him something isn't quite right (MRI etc.) to assess the severity of his muscle issues.
Alcaraz's rival Sinner is also in the region, competing in the China Open in Beijing.
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Facing Marin Cilic in the round of 32, he will be eyeing another title with his closest seeded rival coming in the form of world number three player Alexander Zverev.
To date, Alcaraz leads their ATP head-to-head matches 10 to five, winning two of the three finals they have both featured in.
Alcaraz won the Italian and US Open titles against Sinner, with the Italian taking home the gold at Wimbledon.