Carlos Alcaraz admitted that he struggled with a groin injury during his second-round singles match against Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in the Paris Olympics 2024. Despite the discomfort, Alcaraz is hopeful he will recover in time for his doubles match with Rafael Nadal on Tuesday, July 30. The two Spanish stars are scheduled to play their second-round doubles match against Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof.
During the match against Griekspoor, the World No.3 felt pain in his groin, specifically in the adductors, a muscle group critical for movement in tennis. Speaking to reporters, Alcaraz mentioned that he is familiar with managing such pain, given the demanding and tight schedule of professional tennis. He expressed confidence in his ability to recover and be at 100% for the upcoming doubles match alongside Nadal.
"I know the way that I have to deal with this pain. It is normal for a tennis player; the schedule is so tight and so demanding. I will try to recover as soon and as well as I can tonight to be ready at 100% tomorrow in the doubles," the 21-year-old told reporters.
The singles match against Griekspoor showcased Alcaraz's resilience and skill, even under physical strain. Fresh off winning the French Open and Wimbledon titles this year, Alcaraz made an impressive return to Court Philippe Chatrier. He set the tone early with an ace and two strong forehand winners, quickly breaking his opponent and dominating the first set, taking it in just 32 minutes.
However, Griekspoor, ranked 28th in the world, mounted a stronger challenge in the second set. He consistently held his serve under pressure and matched Alcaraz's intensity, forcing the Spaniard into some rare mistakes. As the set progressed to a tiebreak, Alcaraz elevated his game, showcasing his finesse and closing out the match with a decisive performance and a scoreline of 6-1, 7-6.
With the crowd still buzzing from Rafael Nadal's defeat by Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz seemed eager to assert himself as the next big name in tennis. His performance, despite the injury, proved that he remains a formidable contender at Roland Garros. Now, his focus shifts to recovering in time to join forces with Nadal for their doubles match, aiming to continue their strong showing at the Paris Olympics.
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