Carlos Alcaraz facing extended spell on the sidelines as injury fears mount

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Carlos Alcaraz could be forced to miss the rest of the clay-court swing with a wrist injury

The wrist problem Carlos Alcaraz picked up at the Barcelona Open could have a big impact on the rest of his European clay court season.

He injured his wrist during his win over Otto Virtanen and had to pull out before facing Tomas Machac in the next round.

Alcaraz has already withdrawn from the Madrid Open, marking the second straight year he’ll miss it.

Now, Madrid Open tournament director Feliciano Lopez says he expects Alcaraz to sit out at least one more event, as quoted by La Vanguardia.

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Carlos Alcaraz may not recover in time to play the Italian Open

Alcaraz’s absence at the Madrid Open has left the men’s field looking a bit thin, especially with Taylor Fritz and Novak Djokovic also missing from the lineup.

Speaking on Radioestadio Noche, tournament director Feliciano Lopez expressed concern about Alcaraz’s wrist issue.

“I’ve had that injury myself. From what I’ve heard, it’s a very common injury in the world of tennis. I think his wrist tendon is a bit inflamed, I imagine, and I hope it’s not ruptured,” said Lopez.

“Now it’s time to recover because it’s not a muscle strain from overuse, since he arrived tired from Monte Carlo and something like this can happen to you. There are many small tendons in the wrist.

“I was out for about two months. I don’t know what his injury is like or the extent of it. I was out for two months but of course when I got it, I could barely hold the racket until a few days after the match ended.”