“Worst moment,” Carlos Alcaraz recalls what he suffered in 2024 that nearly marred his career

World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz, who clinched four titles last year, missed several tournaments after his Miami Open exit.

“Worst moment,” Carlos Alcaraz recalls what he suffered in 2024 that nearly marred his career

Carlos Alcaraz (via X)

Carlos Alcaraz reflected on his career during a recent interview. He recalled the time when he injured his forearm during the clay season last year which left him in doubt about his ability to hit forehands.

Following his Miami Open quarterfinal exit, Alcaraz suffered from the injury in April and was forced to miss the Monte Carlo Masters. He then withdrew from the Barcelona Open and made his comeback at the Madrid Open.

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My worst moment in tennis. I think that in 2024 when I got injured. I injured my forearm on the clay tour in April. I had to miss several tournaments that I was really looking forward to playing, especially in my country, Spain.

Carlos Alcaraz said on MoluscoTV

Following his Madrid Open exit, the same injury forced Alcaraz to pull out of the Italian Open. Upon his comeback, the Spaniard lifted the French Open for the first time and completed the Channel Slam with a straight-set win over Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final.

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I had many doubts about whether I was going to feel good again, to be able to hit the ball normally because it bothered me. Weeks went by. The doctors told me, no, in two weeks you will be able to play perfectly.

Carlos Alcaraz added

Facing the Big 3 is source of pride for Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz is among the few of those youngsters who have faced the members of the Big 3. Although he has never locked horns with Roger Federer, who retired at the 2022 Laver Cup, Alcaraz met Rafael Nadal thrice and is 1-2 in their head-to-head meetings.

Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal (Images via X)

He won’t have any more chance to play against Nadal as the 22-time Grand Slam champion called time on his career in last year’s Davis Cup Finals. The 21-year-old has squared off against Novak Djokovic eight times and is expected to meet the Serb more. Alcaraz takes pride in facing these members of the legendary trio.

Well, I’ve played much less with Federer. I’m still fighting with Rafa in his last years and with Djokovic. But it’s the source of pride. In the end, they are three of the best in the history of our sport.

Carlos Alcaraz told El Nuevo Dia

Alcaraz is in Puerto Rico for an exhibition match against Frances Tiafoe. He will then arrive at Indian Wells to defend his title and will be bidding to clinch the second trophy of the season following the Rotterdam Open.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion too is set to participate in the ATP 1000 Masters tournament which he won a record five times. It will be the Serb’s first event since his first-round exit at the Qatar Open.