Carlos Alcaraz Sparks Injury Concerns Ahead of the Six Kings Slam

Carlos Alcaraz has shared crucial news about his left ankle injury, which he picked up at the Japan Open in early October. The problem arose during his first-round match against Sebastian Baez, forcing him to pull out of the Shanghai Masters. Since then, the world No. 1 has been recovering in El Palmar, where he continued light training and even played golf to stay active.

Despite the setback, Alcaraz has enjoyed a remarkable season. He has captured eight ATP titles and appeared in nine straight finals, proving his dominance on tour. His consistency has helped him remain firmly at the top of the rankings, even with Jannik Sinner closing in. Alcaraz said in his press conference:

I don’t feel, I would say, a hundred percent, the doubts are there when I move on the court, but I think I have improved a lot and I am going to compete and perform well here at the Six Kings Slam.

The ongoing Six Kings Slam will serve as an important test for Alcaraz’s recovery and match sharpness. The event gives him a chance to assess his fitness level in a competitive setting before the year’s final tournaments.

Alcaraz remains focused on staying injury-free and improving both physically and mentally. His determination continues to set him apart as he looks to finish the season strong.

Carlos Alcaraz slams Six Kings Slam critics

World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz has spoken out in support of tennis players who choose to compete in exhibition events, despite ongoing criticism about the packed tennis calendar. Several top stars have raised concerns about the season’s demanding schedule, which stretches across almost the entire year.

I think it’s a topic that a lot of players and a lot of people are talking about with the schedule, how tight it is with so many tournaments and two-week tournaments, and then they make, I would say, excuses with the exhibitions, saying ‘players complain about the schedule and then they play some exhibitions. All I can say is that it’s a really different format, a different situation, playing exhibitions than official tournaments, having 15, 16 days in a row, having such a high concentration, and being physically demanding.

The ATP and WTA Tours run tournaments for 11 months, alongside the four Grand Slams hosted by the ITF — the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Complaints have grown louder after many Masters 1000 events were extended from one week to two, adding even more pressure to players’ schedules.

Alcaraz addressed the issue, saying players should have the freedom to participate in exhibition tournaments if they wish. He emphasized that such events can help them stay sharp, enjoy the game, and connect with fans outside the regular tour circuit.

The world No. 1 is currently competing in the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, alongside Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. The high-profile exhibition offers both competition and entertainment, balancing intensity with enjoyment.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner on the verge of matching John McEnroe’s 1984 season

John McEnroe’s 1984 season is still regarded as the greatest single year in tennis history. Despite efforts from legends like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, no one has managed to surpass his record. Now, attention turns to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, with coach Patrick Mouratoglou weighing in on whether they could one day achieve it.

McEnroe’s dominance that year was remarkable. He ended the season with an 82-3 record, a 96.47% win rate that topped Jimmy Connors’ 95.96% mark. Alcaraz currently holds a 90.5% winning percentage this season, while Sinner sits at 87.8%. Last year, the Italian came close, finishing with 92.41%.

Mouratoglou believes the record could eventually fall. He explained that both Alcaraz and Sinner have the consistency and talent to achieve it, but it would require the perfect combination of focus, fitness, and luck.

McEnroe’s 1984 haul included 13 titles — Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Masters Grand Prix among them — with his only major loss coming to Ivan Lendl in the French Open final. Federer came close in 2005 and 2006, posting win rates above 94%, while Djokovic’s 2015 season, with three Grand Slams and six Masters titles, remains one of the finest attempts to match McEnroe’s near-perfect year.

Also Read: Dominic Thiem Dives Into the Concept of Prize Money in Tennis

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW