Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati, raising fresh physical concerns as the US Open approaches. The Spanish star decided to skip the tournament due to wrist problems, according to sports reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport and ANSA.
The latest withdrawal comes during a demanding stretch for the athlete, who recently reclaimed the world number two ranking in the ATP standings, as reported by La Repubblica.
Training Methods and Reflex Drills Spark Attention
Ahead of his planned return to competitive action, Alcaraz drew considerable attention on training courts through an unorthodox visual drill. Photographs and video coverage highlighted the player practicing with a training cone fitted over one eye, a specialized method designed to train reflexes, as detailed by Rai News.
This specialized vision-training technique is not entirely new to elite Italian and international sports preparation. According to the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP), structured reflex-training exercises utilizing visual restriction have been integrated into high-performance coaching programs since 2012.
ATP Rankings and the Race to New York
Despite missing the Cincinnati Masters 1000 event, Alcaraz holds a prominent position near the summit of men’s professional tennis. The latest ranking updates place him at number two in the world, according to La Repubblica.
Next Steps for the Spanish Star
Share your thoughts on Alcaraz’s recovery and training methods in the comments below.