Carlos Alcaraz reveals what saved him from serious injury after scare during win in Japan

World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz feels he could have suffered a serious injury in the opening round of the Japan Open if he had not been moving forward. In the opening set at 2-2, the Spaniard moved forward to respond to a drop shot from Argentina’s Sebastian Baez.

But, the six-time Slam champion fell to the ground and looked worried. Fortunately for Alcaraz, he didn’t suffer any serious injury and it could have been a different story if he had twisted his ankle. The Spaniard went on to register a comfortable 6-4, 6-2 win against the Argentine to book his place in the round of 16.

During his post-match press conference, Alcaraz said: “It was unlucky. I was unlucky.

“I was feeling good, and it was about running to that drop shot he made in the fifth game, and yeah, that happened.

“I would say it saved me that it was going forward, and thanks to that, it didn’t blend [twist] it all, it was just a little bit. I was worried because the first minutes of blending my ankle, I didn’t feel good at all.

“But then after, I started to feel a little bit better.

“I could walk to the bench, which for me, was a relief. Right now I’m just feeling the same way, which for me I would say it’s great because when it cooled down, I feel the same way as I was playing on court.

“I think it’s a great sign.”

Alcaraz will take on Germany’s Zizou Bergs in the next round of the Japan Open.