World number two Carlos Alcaraz says the ankle sprain that forced him out of the ATP Rio Open will sideline him for "a few days" but he'll be ready for his Indian Wells title defense after an exhibition against Rafael Nadal in Las Vegas.
"I just had an MRI on my ankle after yesterday's injury," Alcaraz wrote on Instagram. "After the meeting with my doctor and my physiotherapists the diagnosis is a grade II lateral sprain.
"I have a sprain that will keep me out for a few days! See you in Las Vegas and Indian Wells!"
Alcaraz was injured on the second point of his first-round match against Brazilian wild card Thiago Monteiro, his right foot catching in the red clay surface at the Jockey Club Brasiliero.
After falling hard he limped to his chair, where during a medical timeout a trainer taped up his swollen right ankle. He returned to win the interrupted opening game but after dropping his serve in the second decided to call it quits.
Alcaraz's latest injury comes with Italy's Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner closing in on the world number two ranking.
Alcaraz leads Sinner - who won the Rotterdam title on Sunday - by just 535 points and has 1,000 points to defend at Indian Wells.
AFP
