Carlos Alcaraz Brushes Off Knee Scare, Powers Through to US Open Fourth Round

Sometimes, tennis throws you a curveball when you least expect it. Just ask Carlos Alcaraz, who experienced his first real hiccup of the 2025 US Open on Friday morning but responded like the champion he is. The Spanish sensation looked to be cruising against Luciano Darderi, leading by a set and 4-1, when suddenly his body sent him a warning signal. After losing serve for the first time all week, Alcaraz appeared to land awkwardly following a serve and immediately knew something wasn’t quite right with his right knee.

Alcaraz’s Medical Timeout Moment

Picture this: You’re dominating a match at the US Open, the crowd’s behind you, and then your knee decides to have a conversation with you mid-point. That is exactly what happened to Alcaraz during what should have been a routine service game at 5-4 in the second set.

“When he broke my serve, in the last point I felt something in the knee, but after five or six points it was gone,” Alcaraz said post-match. The 22-year-old called for the trainer faster than you can say “medical timeout,” but here is where things get interesting. Instead of letting the moment derail his momentum, Alcaraz used it as fuel. He proceeded to win the next seven games straight, turning what could have been a drama-filled afternoon into a 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 masterclass in just one hour and 44 minutes.

Morning Person? Not So Much

Before we dive into the tennis brilliance, let’s talk about something every working person can relate to: morning struggles. Alcaraz had to play at the ungodly hour of 11:30 a.m. (by tennis standards, anyway), a stark contrast to his previous night session matches.

“I’m not a morning person,” Alcaraz said with a grin that probably resonated with coffee addicts worldwide. “For me, it’s difficult to wake up in the mornings, so that’s a good thing today that I woke up early, I did the warmup well, played good… It seems like I’m a Spanish guy!”

The self-deprecating humor aside, his early morning performance was anything but sluggish. He was ruthless in all departments, particularly in those forehand-to-forehand exchanges that had the Arthur Ashe crowd on their feet.

What’s Next For the Spanish Superstar?

With a Tour-leading 57 wins and six titles already in 2025, Alcaraz isn’t just playing tennis – he’s making a statement. The victory sets up a fourth-round clash with Arthur Rinderknech, a Frenchman who rallied past Benjamin Bonzi in what must have been an all-French affair that had more drama than a soap opera.

Here IS where the plot thickens: Alcaraz leads their head-to-head series 3-0, but in tennis, past results matter about as much as last week’s weather forecast. Rinderknech will be coming in with nothing to lose and everything to prove.

The Bigger Picture: Rankings and Rivalries

The knee scare aside, Alcaraz remains on track for something bigger than just another tournament win. He is chasing Jannik Sinner for that coveted No. 1 ranking, and here’s the kicker. He could reclaim the top spot for the first time since September 2023 if he matches or betters Sinner’s result in New York.

Talk about motivation. With Sinner sitting pretty in the top half of the draw, these two titans can only meet in the championship match, setting up a potential finale that would have tennis fans clearing their Sunday schedules.

The Takeaway

What we witnessed on Friday wasn’t just another tennis match – it was a masterclass in mental fortitude. When faced with a potential injury concern and an early morning start time that would challenge even the most dedicated coffee enthusiast, Alcaraz didn’t just survive; he thrived.

The medical timeout? “Just a precaution,” he said, sounding about as concerned as someone ordering their usual coffee. The early start? An opportunity to prove he’s more adaptable than a Swiss Army knife. As Alcaraz continues his quest for another Grand Slam title, Friday’s performance served as a reminder of why he’s considered one of the game’s brightest stars. Sometimes the best athletes aren’t just those who avoid adversity – they are the ones who turn it into fuel for greatness.