Alcaraz watches from sidelines as teen brother shines

Alcaraz
World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz arrives at the Madrid Open to support younger brother Jaime Alacaraz. -EPA

Carlos Alcaraz swapped his racket for a spectator's seat at the Madrid Open on Thursday, ‌watching his 14-year-old brother Jaime earn a straight-sets win that ‌showcased the family's talent.

Sidelined by a wrist injury that has ruled ‌him out of Madrid, Rome and the French Open, the 22-year-old world No.2 followed closely as Jaime claimed a 6-3 6-3 win over seeded opponent Pol Mas in the ‌U16 event.

The teenager, ‌playing ⁠on a wildcard, produced moments that drew ​murmurs of recognition from courtside observers.

A delicate drop shot by Jaime, a signature element of his brother's game, brought a smile to proud Carlos, who sat with a brace on his right ⁠wrist.

The injury that has disrupted ‌Carlos's ​clay-court season, including his planned title defence in Paris, also ​limited his ‌celebrations. He applauded his brother's shots but was unable to ​fully clap because of the wrist issue.

Carlos's presence transformed what might have been a routine junior match into ​something ​of an occasion, with ​spectators gathering around the court ‌as Jaime sealed victory.

Carlos's enforced absence in a blow to his clay-court campaign has grabbed the headlines but attention briefly shifted to his brother, whose composed display offered an early ​glimpse of what the next generation of the Alcaraz family ​has to offer.