Is Carlos Alcaraz’s Ankle Injury a Blessing in Disguise for the Six Kings Slam?
Carlos Alcaraz seems to be taking a page out of the classic “rest is the best medicine” playbook. After a minor ankle scare at the Japan Open, the tennis prodigy wisely decided to skip the Shanghai Masters, and honestly, it might have been the smartest move of his season. While his rivals were sweating it out, Alcaraz was spotted casually playing golf in his home country, looking more relaxed than a cat in a sunbeam.
The young Spaniard, who seems to collect trophies like they’re Pokémon, picked up a slight ankle injury during his debut match at the Japan Open against Sebastian Baez. Despite the tweak, he powered through the tournament to clinch the title against Taylor Fritz. Most players would be celebrating, but Alcaraz and his team were thinking long-term. They pulled the plug on Shanghai, and now, with the upcoming Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, it looks like a genius decision.
“I’ve been at home recovering my ankle, which is doing well all things considered,” Alcaraz casually mentioned, probably between golf swings. That’s the kind of chill update we love to see. No drama, just a guy getting ready for his next big payday.
Alcaraz’s Strategic Rest and Sinner’s Unfortunate Exit
Here’s where things get a little spicy. While Alcaraz was working on his golf handicap, his main rival, Jannik Sinner, had a rough go in Shanghai. A win there could have significantly closed the ranking gap, putting major pressure on Alcaraz for the No. 1 spot. But tennis is a cruel sport. Sinner was hit with severe cramps and had to retire mid-match against Tallon Griekspoor. Just like that, Alcaraz’s lead at the top swelled to over 1000 points. You can’t make this stuff up. It’s almost as if the tennis gods are playing favorites, and right now, their golden boy is named Carlos.
This twist of fate means Alcaraz can head into the last leg of the season—including the Paris Masters and ATP Finals—with a lot less pressure. He’s already had a monster year, reaching 10 finals and only tasting defeat in two of them. The guy has been a final-round fixture since Monte Carlo. Now, he gets to aim for more titles without the constant stress of defending his No. 1 ranking breathing down his neck.
The Alcaraz vs. Sinner Serve Debate: Who Really Comes Out on Top?
The Alcaraz vs. Sinner rivalry is the gift that keeps on giving, and everyone has an opinion. Serena Williams‘ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, recently weighed in on who has the better serve. “Both of their serves are good,” he stated, before giving the edge to the Spaniard. “Carlos’ serve is a bit better… Carlos is way shorter than Jannik and is more consistent with the serve.”
It’s a bold take, but the stats tell a slightly different story. This year, Sinner has actually been the more dominant server. He’s averaging more aces (6.7 to Alcaraz’s 5.9), fewer double faults (1.4 to 2.7), and has a higher percentage of first-serve points won (78.8% to 74.4%). The only statistical area where Alcaraz leads is first-serve percentage. So, while Mouratoglou sees more stability in the Spaniard’s form, the numbers suggest Sinner is the one dropping bombs from the service line.
Regardless of who has the “better” serve on paper, their on-court clashes are pure electricity. With both set to compete in the final stretch of the season, fans are hoping for another epic showdown. If they both play the Paris Masters, a final between them seems almost destined.
For now, though, Alcaraz is enjoying his well-deserved break. After Riyadh, he’ll be back on the tour, rested and ready to swing for the fences. His strategic timeout has paid off beautifully, setting the stage for what could be an incredible end to his already stellar 2025 season.
