Carlos Alcaraz's sad announcement ahead of Wimbledon
Tennis teen prodigy Carlos Alcaraz has announced he will miss Queen's due to a reoccurring elbow injury in a worrying sign ahead of Wimbledon.
Alcaraz set the tennis world alight heading into Roland Garros having won two ATP 1000 events, which included beating both Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic in Madrid.
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The 19-year-old was a hot tip for the French Open, before he lost to World No.3 Alexander Zverev in the quarter-final.
And following his exit, the teen star has announced he isn't ready to return at Queen's to start his grass court campaign.
"As u all know, I was super excited to play at Queen's, but a slight elbow issue means I can't." he wrote on social media.
"I hope to be there in 2023...see u all in the UK in a few days."
As u all know, I was super excited to play at @QueensTennis but a slight elbow issue means I can't! 😞
I hope to be there in 2023... see u all in the UK 🇬🇧 in a few days! 🎾🌱— Carlos Alcaraz (@alcarazcarlos03) June 8, 2022
While Alcaraz appears set to take part at Wimbledon, losing time at a warm-up event will be a huge blow for his chances.
Last year, Alcaraz was knocked out of SW19 in the second round.
Reporter Jose Morgado pointed out that Alcaraz will likely only play the one grass court event, which would be Wimbledon.
Carlos Alcaraz will miss the Queen’s Club due to an elbow injury.
Should play only one grass tournament in 2022: Wimbledon.— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 8, 2022
No Queen's for Alcaraz but sounds like Wimbledon still very much in the plan. Curious to see how his 19-year-old body holds up over a full season which has so far been full of considerable success https://t.co/oqctQUGP9O
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) June 8, 2022
Carlos Alcaraz confirmed for Basel with Roger Federer
In separate news, Alcaraz has been confirmed as a participant in Basel.
Federer has also expressed interest in returning to the ATP Tour before October in time for his home tournament.
Fans quickly became excited for a potential match up between Alcaraz, and 20-time grand slam icon Federer.
Basel is back and Alcaraz is confirmed.
Will we get our first Federer-Alcaraz match there? https://t.co/HxFfKAOAdM— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 8, 2022
Many tipped Alcaraz as a huge chance to win a maiden grand slam at this year's French Open.
While he lost in an epic to Zverev, who eventually went on to retire hurt against Nadal in the next round, the German offered special praise to Alcaraz after the match.
As the pair approached the net, Zverev embraced the teenager as they both shared a laugh and the German revealed what he said after the match.
"He's an incredible player; I told him at the net that he will win this tournament a lot of times, not only once," Zverev told reporters.
"I hope I can win it before he starts beating us all and we have no chance at all."
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