Concerning signs for Carlos Alcaraz as Spaniard injures himself in US Open practice, just hours after Novak Djokovic experiences similar fate

Carlos Alcaraz's campaign at the 2024 US Open has gotten off to a rocky start, with the Spaniard injuring himself just three days before his opener at the tournament. During a practice session on Saturday, Alcaraz rolled his ankle and quickly stopped the training to prevent exacerbating the injury.

Alcaraz comes into Flushing Meadows following an opening-round exit at the Cincinnati Open to Gael Monfils. Already short on match practice on hardcourts ahead of the New York Major, things have now gone from bad to worse for the World No. 3.

Videos surfaced on the internet on the penultimate day of US Open preparations, where fans were shocked to see Alcaraz taking a slight tumble and appearing to wince in pain. A few moments later, the four-time Grand Slam champion had a word with his team and left the practice session prematurely.

Carlos Alcaraz's injury comes just hours after Novak Djokovic experienced a similar fate, with the Serb cutting short his practice session with Holger Rune after experiencing some discomfort.

Alcaraz and Djokovic had phenomenal runs at the Paris Olympics just ahead of the hardcourt swing, reaching the final. It was Djokovic who ultimately prevailed in the summit clash, beating the youngster in straight sets for his maiden gold medal.

---

Carlos Alcaraz coming into US Open after concerning loss in last match

In addition to the new injury scare, Carlos Alcaraz's form is also questionable right now, following his exit at the recently concluded Cincinnati Open. In the loss to Gael Monfils, the Spaniard was so frustrated that he smashed his racket to the ground in anger and had to issue an apology to fans for his attitude.

Speaking to the press afterwards, the former World No. 1 was more dejected, saying that he had nothing good to take away from the match despite coming in thinking he could have a good tournament.

"As I said honestly I came here thinking that, I'm going to feel good, I'm going to put a good tennis because I'm used to playing in this court. I know how to play on this court, but I felt like totally different surfaces, totally different sport," Carlos Alcaraz said.

"And yeah, it couldn't happen so, but my mindset, and my feeling is I'm ready to win in every tournament that I go. I think it's impossible to get any good things about this match," he added.

In his opener at the US Open, Alcaraz will lock horns with Australia's Li Tu on Tuesday.