Carlos Alcaraz made a resounding return to the court at the Italian Open, delivering a composed and confident performance in his opening match to ease any lingering concerns about his recent injury setbacks. The Spanish tennis sensation defeated Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-3 in just 82 minutes, not only progressing to the next round but also proving to himself—and everyone watching—that his body is ready to compete at the highest level once again.
The win was significant on multiple fronts. Alcaraz, currently chasing a high seeding for the upcoming French Open at Roland Garros, showed no signs of physical discomfort during his match. It was a much-needed morale boost following a challenging few weeks in which he battled back-to-back injuries during a demanding stretch of the clay court season.
Injury Setbacks Threatened Momentum
Just a few weeks ago, Alcaraz appeared to be on a roll. He captured the title at the Monte Carlo Masters and followed it up with a deep run to the final of the Barcelona Open. But during his loss to Holger Rune in the final, things took a turn for the worse. He began experiencing pain from an adductor injury in the third set, and post-match assessments revealed a more troubling issue—a left hamstring strain.
The double blow forced him to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the Madrid Open, a tournament where he was expected to be one of the top contenders. Given the intense competition building up ahead of Roland Garros, many wondered if Alcaraz would be able to regain his momentum in time.
A Careful Recovery and Mental Reset
Alcaraz’s recovery approach was deliberately cautious. Speaking after his Rome win, the 22-year-old explained that he took time off to fully heal and reset both physically and mentally. “I took some days without doing anything. Just recovering with the physio,” he said. “Didn’t do any physical work. Didn’t do any movement at all.”
Once back in his hometown, he underwent a physical test to determine how the hamstring was holding up. The result? “It was almost perfect,” he shared. That green light allowed him to gradually return to training and prepare for Rome with renewed confidence.
“It Was a Test—And I Passed”
The opening match at the Italian Open served as the ultimate test for Alcaraz—not just of his physical readiness, but also of his mental focus. “The body is feeling great,” he said after the win. “I moved well and made a few good sprints without any pain, and that is great.”
Perhaps most importantly, Alcaraz emphasized the psychological barrier he overcame. “It was a test for me, and I think I passed the test,” he said. “I tried to feel more comfortable on the court—moving and not thinking about the injury.”
Looking Ahead with Confidence
With a solid win under his belt and his body responding well, Carlos Alcaraz is now in a strong position to build momentum heading into Roland Garros. His performance in Rome will also have an impact on his potential seeding at the French Open, where every advantage matters.
As one of the sport’s brightest young stars, Alcaraz’s return to form is great news for tennis fans—and a warning to his rivals. He’s back, healthy, and ready to compete.