Carlos Alcaraz, a two-time major winner, was forced to retire from the Rio Open after just two games due to a right ankle injury. The retirement occurred at 1-1, allowing Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro to advance to the second round. Alcaraz twisted his ankle in the first game after only two points and despite receiving medical attention, he was unable to continue playing. The Spanish player broke Monteiro’s serve before ultimately deciding to shake his rival’s hand and leave the court with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero looking concerned.
Following his retirement, Alcaraz stated that his doctors had assured him that the injury was not serious. Despite feeling pain when walking, Alcaraz plans to undergo medical scans on Wednesday to determine the extent of the damage. The player expressed his disappointment over the situation, mentioning that such injuries are common on clay courts. Alcaraz revealed that he attempted to continue playing after consulting with the physio on the court, but the pain persisted, leading to his decision to retire as a precautionary measure.
Monteiro, who advanced to the next round due to Alcaraz’s retirement, expressed sympathy for his opponent, describing the injury as a “bad twist.” Despite the shortened match, Monteiro commended Alcaraz’s talent and wished him a speedy recovery, highlighting his status as a rising star in the sport. Alcaraz’s early exit from the Rio Open follows his below-par performances at the Argentina Open, where he was eliminated in the semifinals by Nicolas Jarry. Last year, Alcaraz was the runner-up at the clay court tournament in Rio de Janeiro and emerged as the winner in 2022.
In addition to Alcaraz’s retirement, three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka suffered a defeat in the first round against Argentina’s Facundo Diaz Acosta. The 23-year-old Díaz Acosta, who recently claimed his first title at the Argentina Open by defeating Jarry in the final, continued his winning streak by overcoming Wawrinka. The match between Wawrinka and Díaz Acosta was part of a rain-delayed schedule in Rio de Janeiro, causing a nearly two-hour pause before the players could resume their game. Wawrinka, a former Australian Open, French Open, and US Open champion, faced a tough challenge from the young Argentine player.
Despite the weather-related obstacles, Díaz Acosta expressed his satisfaction with the victory and acknowledged the need for patience during the match. As a wild-card entry with a career-high ranking of 87, Díaz Acosta’s triumph over a seasoned player like Wawrinka signifies his potential in the tennis world. The Argentine player’s upcoming opponent, Sebastian Baez, will undoubtedly provide another test of his skills as he aims to continue his impressive performance in the Rio Open.
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