Two-time major winner Carlos Alcaraz was forced to retire from the Rio Open after sustaining a right ankle injury just two games into his match on Tuesday. The injury occurred when Alcaraz twisted his ankle in the first game, prompting him to receive medical attention. Despite breaking his opponent's serve and leveling the score, Alcaraz ultimately had to withdraw from the match, allowing Brazil's Thiago Monteiro to advance to the second round.
Alcaraz, who was the runner-up at the clay court tournament in Rio de Janeiro last year and the winner in 2022, expressed disappointment at the premature end to his campaign. Monteiro, his opponent, also expressed regret over the circumstances of Alcaraz's departure.
