Carlos Alcaraz faced a tough start at the 2024 ATP Finals in Turin, struggling with his health during his opening match. Despite being one of the top contenders for the title, he wasn’t in peak condition or form.
Alcaraz’s first opponent was Casper Ruud, a familiar rival from their battle for the US Open crown and World No. 1 spot back in 2022. Unfortunately, this time around, Alcaraz couldn’t bring his A-game and fell to Ruud in straight sets: 6-1, 7-5.
Before the match even began, Alcaraz was seen frequently blowing his nose during practice sessions. This hinted at an underlying illness that seemed to affect him on court as well. Fans might think it’s unfortunate timing for such a promising player.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| es Carlos Alcaraz | 21 | 68,791 | 25 - 5 |
Health Struggles:
After the match, Alcaraz admitted that he wasn’t feeling well and praised Ruud’s performance. “Obviously, I could be better on the court,” he said. “I didn’t feel well on the court… But Casper is a really uncomfortable player to play with.” He also expressed that despite his own struggles, Ruud played exceptionally well.
Pressed further about his health issues, Alcaraz shared that he’d been unwell even before arriving in Turin. Although he managed some practice days feeling okay-ish—never quite great—the intensity of actual matches proved more challenging.
He explained that not only had he been sick before traveling but also experienced stomach discomfort during his match against Ruud. Yet he refused to use these ailments as excuses: “But if I feel bad,” Alcaraz stated candidly, “I feel bad.”
What do you think? Should players push through when they’re not feeling their best?
