Concerns emerge for Alcaraz as he practises with heavily bandaged arm ahead of Monte-Carlo
The Spaniard missed last year’s Monte-Carlo due to injury, and again seems to be physically hampered ahead of this year’s tournament
Carlos Alcaraz practises with heavily bandaged arm at Monte-Carlo 2024 Antoine © Couvercelle / Panoramic
Fresh concerns over Carlos Alcaraz‘s physical condition have emerged just two days before his opening match at the 2024 Monte-Carlo Masters.
The Spaniard was seen with his lower right arm heavily bandaged during a practise session on the courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club on Sunday.
He appeared to be struggling throughout as he made frequent references to the bandaged area and was grimacing through much of the hitting session.
Alcaraz has endured a torrid relationship with the first clay-court Masters 1000 event of the season so far in his young career. In 2022, after having so sensationally won the Miami Open to announce his arrival on the elite stage of men’s tennis, Alcaraz suffered a disappointing first-round exit in Monte-Carlo at the hands of Sebastian Korda. He then missed last year’s event with a hand injury.
After the alarm that swirled around the Spaniard following his ankle turn in Rio de Janeiro back in February ahead of the ‘Sunshine Double’, Alcaraz’s physical fitness is once again under the spotlight prior to a big tournament.
The current world No 3 took most of the weight of the forehand during the session, indicating a desire to protect the affected area. He was also not seen wearing the heavy bandaging in his first practise session the day before.
Alcaraz is set to open his 2024 Monte-Carlo campaign against Felix Auger-Aliassime on Wednesday, where the extent of his right-arm discomfort will be put to the test.
Aside from the injury concerns, all eyes will be on whether the two-time reigning Barcelona and Madrid Open champion can finally apply his clay-court prowess to the hallowed courts of Monte-Carlo with a maiden match win at the tournament.
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