MADRID — Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz has announced his withdrawal from the Madrid Open due to muscle injuries, deciding to prioritize his health ahead of the approaching French Open. Citing a strenuous schedule that comes with the territory of professional tennis, the world’s third-ranked player is focusing on a full recovery.
Alcaraz, who had not fully recuperated from an upper leg issue sustained during the Barcelona Open final last Sunday, also disclosed a new injury to his left leg. His scheduled debut at Madrid’s Caja Magica was set for Saturday. As a two-time champion in Madrid, Alcaraz held the position of second seed and was placed in the same half of the draw as tennis star Novak Djokovic.
The young player expressed that he did everything in his power to be fit for the tournament, but after thorough discussion with his doctors, he concluded that withdrawing was a necessary decision. He described Madrid as a special tournament close to his heart, one he enjoyed competing in front of his local fans. However, he acknowledged the importance of prioritizing his health for future successes, particularly with the prestigious Grand Slam events such as the French Open in sight.
Alcaraz is confident that he will recover in time to participate in Roland Garros next month, where he aims to defend his championship title. Last year, he secured a victory in the finals against Alexander Zverev, who recently surpassed him in rankings to claim the world No. 2 spot. Alcaraz reassured his supporters, stating, “I’m not really worried about it. I believe it’s going to take one week, one week and a half, two weeks maximum, but I won’t have doubts about coming back and moving 100% again.”
Plans are in motion for Alcaraz to compete in Rome before the French Open, taking place on May 25, as he actively monitors his recovery. Alcaraz shared, “My mindset is to do everything it takes to be a hundred percent for Rome. I will do some tests at the beginning of next week just to see how it’s improved, and from that let’s see how it’s going to be the next days.” He remains hopeful to play in Rome, otherwise, Roland Garros would be his comeback stage.
During the final in Barcelona, Alcaraz required treatment for his leg amidst his defeat to Holger Rune. Although he hasn’t trained in Madrid yet, he felt optimistic about participating until medical evaluations deemed otherwise. As he prepares to turn 22, Alcaraz kicked off his clay-court season with a win at Monte Carlo and was riding a nine-match victory streak prior to the Barcelona final. However, he noted persistent discomfort in a muscle of his left leg.
Acknowledging the demanding nature of tennis, Alcaraz is determined to return stronger. He addressed the challenges players face with the dense tournament scheduling, stating, “Tennis is really a demanding sport. Playing week after week, so many matches in a row, and you have to heal your body sometimes and take difficult decisions.”
Alcaraz, who boasts a remarkable 24-5 record this season, has also performed well on hard courts with a title win in Rotterdam this February. He emphasized the importance of thoughtful scheduling for personal well-being, saying, “The schedule is really tight, really difficult tournaments week after week, and sometimes you have to think about yourself sometimes, and make the right decisions as to your health.”