Argentina Open: Carlos Alcaraz Makes Triumphant Season Debut After Injury

Former world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz is back on the tennis court after an injury.

He ended his almost four-month injury layoff with a win over Laslo Djere at the Argentina Open Wednesday, reported Sky Sports.

The US Open champion, 19, battled past Djere of Serbia 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.

The Spaniard had not played since November 2022 and recently lost the top spot in the rankings to tennis star Novak Djokovic, who won the title in Melbourne.

In Buenos Aires, Alcaraz dominated with his heavy baseline blows and drop shots to seal his first victory since his injury. He suffered an abdominal injury at the Paris Masters in November 2022.

Alcaraz said that it's a "great feeling to win again." He noted that it's been a long time for him, "no competition and no matches, just recovery. And finally, I got my first win of 2023."

He had a fast start, as he raced to a 3-1 lead, but he could not win a wild second set. It included 15 combined breakpoints, and none of them were converted until Djere made the breakthrough on his second set point. Any disappointment didn't last for long, as Alcaraz got back in command. Just like in the opening set, the teenager did not face a break point in the decider.

He did most of his damage with heavy baseline blows, but he also mixed in a few drop shots and net approaches while he eased back into competition. The atmosphere was a welcoming one, with people serenading him with an "Ole Carlos" chant in between sets.

Argentine legend Gabriela Sabatini was among those in the stands to see Alcaraz's tournament debut, as per ATP Tour.

The teen said that he was really happy in Buenos Aires, and he "didn't expect such a great crowd, a great atmosphere behind me."

He thanked all the fans in Buenos Aires for "the warm welcome that I received in this first match and I hope to keep going with this energy."

Right after an abdominal tear ended his 2022 season following the Rolex Paris Masters, he got a hamstring injury while he was preparing for the Australian Open.

Alcaraz will next clash with another Serbian -- Dusan Lajovic, who suffered a straight-sets loss in their only meeting in the second round of Australian Open 2022.

Lajovic recently beat Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-3, 6-1, according to ESPN.