Carlos Alcaraz Watches Younger Brother Jaime Hit Drop Shot in Madrid

Carlos Alcaraz is not competing in Madrid because of a wrist injury he suffered during the Barcelona Open.

Carlos Alcaraz Watches Younger Brother Jaime Hit Drop Shot in Madrid

Carlos Alcaraz watched his brother play in Madrid (Image via X/@fvaeey)

In Short
  • Carlos Alcaraz supported his younger brother Jaime during his debut at the Madrid Open, where Jaime won 6-3, 6-3.
  • Carlos Alcaraz is missing the Madrid Open for the second consecutive year due to a wrist injury.
  • Jannik Sinner faces increased pressure to win upcoming tournaments in the absence of Carlos Alcaraz.

Carlos Alcaraz turned into a spectator to cheer for his 14-year-old brother Jaime Alcaraz, who is playing in the under-16 category of the Madrid Open. On his debut, Jaime registered a 6-3, 6-3 win over compatriot Pol Mas.

The under-16 of the tournament was held for the first time in 2013, and since then, it has seen several current rising stars participate in it, including Rafael Jodar, Martin Landaluce, and Daniel Merida. Pictures and clips of Alcaraz cheering for his younger brother have been doing the rounds on social media. Jaime also tried hitting a drop shot, which his older brother often incorporates in his matches to take his opponents by surprise.

Watch the video:

Alcaraz, however, missed the Madrid Open for the second consecutive year. He injured his wrist during the Barcelona Open, which forced him to hand the walkover to Tomas Machac in the second round.

Alcaraz will also be missing the Italian Open and the French Open, both of which he won last year by defeating his arch-rival Jannik Sinner. The Spaniard has played three finals already this year, winning the Australian Open and the Qatar Open against Novak Djokovic and Arthur Fils, respectively, and losing the Monte-Carlo Masters to Sinner. His defeat in The Principality, where he was also the defending champion, saw him lose his No.1 ranking.

Jannik Sinner will face a new challenge in the absence of Carlos Alcaraz

At the French Open, Jannik Sinner will be bidding to complete the Career Grand Slam. Last year, he lost the final in spite of a 2-0 lead and having three match points. Because Carlos Alcaraz will not be playing at Roland Garros, Sinner will have to deal with more pressure of winning the tournament, believes former ATP player Greg Rusedski.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K, The Independent)

There’s a lot more pressure and expectation, because I’m saying he’s gonna win the French Open, he’s gonna win Madrid, he’s gonna win Rome, he should win everything he plays now. Then imagine if Alcaraz doesn’t show up to Wimbledon. Again, the pressure will be on. You should win everything, you should win everything. That’s not easy to manage that expectation and pressure.

At Wimbledon last year, the four-time Major champion took his Roland Garros defeat revenge but failed to defend his US Open title. Sinner, at present, is competing at the Madrid Open, where he has reached the semifinal for the first time. He will be up against Arthur Fils, who is chasing his second back-to-back title after his Barcelona Open win.

Yes, he’s mentally tough, but all of a sudden, you take away his biggest rival, and everybody says you should win. The other players are looking like they’re starting to step up as well. So far, Jannik has been unbelievable. I’ve been watching him this week. When he is challenged, Jannik puts on the afterburners. What I’ve noticed this week is the use of the slice short sometimes to bring his opponents in, the willingness to come forward. And he just plays all the time the right shot.

Greg Rusedski added

Sinner lifted the Sunshine Double titles and the Monte-Carlo Masters, and winning the Madrid title will make him the first man to win the first four Masters 1000 of the season. His victory in Monte Carlo made him the second man, after Novak Djokovic, to win the first three Masters 1000 of the season. He is also the eighth man to complete the Sunshine Double.

He will be playing in the semifinals of the Madrid Open for the first time. Against Fils, Sinner holds a 1-0 head-to-head lead. Madrid Open was the only Masters 1000 event where he hadn’t reached the semifinal.

Also read: Rafael Nadal Faced Tough Competition Compared to Carlos Alcaraz, Believes His Uncle