World No 3 Carlos Alcaraz has officially withdrawn from the Madrid Open due to an adductor injury he sustained during his straight-sets defeat to Holger Rune in the final of the Barcelona Open last Sunday. This announcement came as a disappointment to many fans who were eager to see him compete for a third consecutive title in Madrid.
Alcaraz was scheduled to commence his quest for the title on Friday, but during a press conference on Thursday, he confirmed that he would not be participating in the tournament. His absence will be felt, particularly because he shares the same half of the draw as tennis heavyweights Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper, both of whom could potentially meet in the quarter-finals.
Despite the challenging news of his withdrawal, Alcaraz remained optimistic about his recovery. Although he has previously faced issues with his left hamstring, the young Spaniard is “not really worried about” these injuries. He expressed his belief that the healing process will take “one week, one week and a half, two weeks maximum.” This hopeful outlook reflects his determination to return to the court as quickly as possible.
In his comments, Alcaraz emphasized that he is willing to “do everything it takes” to ensure he is ready for his next scheduled tournament in Rome, set to begin on May 7. Additional tests on his injury are planned for the beginning of next week to further assess his condition. “My hope is to play in Rome. If not, the next tournament is Roland Garros for me,” he explained, highlighting his desire to be back in competitive play without delay. As the defending champion at the French Open, which commences on May 25, maintaining his fitness is of critical importance.
Reflecting on his recent performances, Alcaraz noted that he had a strong start to the clay-court season, notching up a victory at the Monte-Carlo Masters and achieving a nine-match winning streak prior to his defeat in Barcelona. In the final match against Rune, Alcaraz had already lost the first set in a tie-break, and during the second set, he felt an unexpected discomfort in his left hamstring. This prompted him to take an off-court medical timeout, after which he was unable to win another game.
Sharing his feelings about missing the Madrid Open, Alcaraz expressed, “I’m really disappointed I’m not able to play here in Madrid. It’s a place I really love playing in front of my people, my family, my friends.” He described Madrid as a “special place” for him, making the decision to withdraw even more difficult. He acknowledged the demanding nature of tennis—”playing week after week, so many matches in a row”—and the necessity of listening to one’s body when faced with injuries.
In closing, Alcaraz assured his fans, “But I will come back stronger and come back with a lot of power for the next tournaments.” His resilience and commitment to the sport were also evident as he attended the launch of his new Netflix documentary series in the Spanish capital earlier this week, confirming his ambition and ongoing engagement with his career as he looks ahead to a promising return.
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