Carlos Alcaraz’s Brief Knee Problem at the US Open Doesn’t Slow Him Down in a Win

A trainer works on Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, during a medical timeout in the second set against Luciano Darderi, of Italy, during the third round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, in New York, on Aug. 29, 2025. Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo

NEW YORK—Carlos Alcaraz was cruising along in the U.S. Open’s third round, leading by a set and a break after taking 10 of the first 14 games in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday, when an awkward step while striking a forehand caused an issue with his right knee.

The No. 2-seeded Alcaraz, who won the first of his five Grand Slam titles at Flushing Meadows in 2022, got broken for the first time in the tournament, then took a medical timeout and had his leg massaged by a trainer. Problem solved: Alcaraz rolled through the rest of the match, never dropping another game, and beat No. 32 Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-4, 6-0.