A former professional player highlighted a moment in the ATP Finals to suggest Carlos Alcaraz may have competed while managing a thigh issue against Jannik Sinner, renewing discussion about whether the reaction he showed early in the match shaped the outcome.
Observers noted Alcaraz reacting after a first-set serve, prompting analysis of whether the movement signaled a physical problem as analysts revisited the sequence and argued that the subtle hop indicated discomfort affecting how he approached extended rallies.
Laura Robson evaluated the incident and concluded the reaction implied an underlying issue as she stated that the immediate hesitation reflected more than routine adjustment, suggesting it influenced how the Spaniard structured his play under rising pressure.
Attention centered on the medical timeout that followed. Alcaraz received treatment before returning with a heavily taped thigh. The reinforcement helped him continue, though it appeared to provide limited stability when longer exchanges intensified.
“For me, I felt the pain in his thigh played a role,” Robson said, reinforcing her view that the discomfort contributed to adjustments that deviated from the 22-year-old’s usual baseline intensity.
She later observed that the tape “had gone to pieces down his leg,” describing how the support deteriorated as the match progressed. The detail strengthened her assessment that the physical issue remained a factor throughout the contest.
Robson added: “So we saw him go even more power… more variety trying to drop shot more.”
Those are changes she believed were designed to manage movement demands while maintaining competitiveness against Sinner‘s constant pressure and despite the adjustments, Alcaraz produced strong phases and extended several rallies.
Though the cumulative strain may have limited sustained intensity as his capacity to escalate pace appeared restricted as the Italian maintained consistent depth from both wings on his way to victory.
Attention shifted toward the Davis Cup, with Alcaraz confirming plans to travel while monitoring his condition as his arranged an MRI to assess the hamstring, acknowledging earlier abdominal and back issues that had accumulated through the season.
Analysts continue debating whether the suspected injury significantly altered the final as some argue the momentum shift aligned with the initial reaction, while others maintain the match unfolded on competitive terms regardless of Alcaraz‘s physical state.
When is the next tennis Grand Slam tournament for Alcaraz?
Alcaraz is starting to reach the peak of his game as he develops into perhaps the finest player of his generation, and seems destined to become one of the best players of all-time.
With 24 ATP Tour singles in the bank as well as six Grand Slam wins, he continues to add silverware to his resume and stake his claim to be the GOAT of the sport.
But the major next up is a competition he is yet to win as he will take to the Australian Open in Melbourne from January 12-26. He has only ever reached the quarterfinal at Melbourne Park.
With he and Sinner holding a clear edge over the rest of the ATP as Novak Djokovic continues to show signs of being unable to keep up at the age of 38, this is a golden chance for Alcaraz to claim the last bit of Grand Slam silverware he is missing.
Read the full article here
