MADRID (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz, the cherished player of the home crowd, announced his withdrawal from the Madrid Open this Thursday due to muscle injuries. He expressed concern about exacerbating his condition ahead of the prestigious French Open.
The third-ranked Spaniard attributed his injuries to the “extremely rigorous” schedule associated with the “intense world” of tennis.
Alcaraz revealed that he hasn’t completely recovered from the leg injury that plagued him during last Sunday’s Barcelona Open final. Additionally, he is dealing with a separate issue in his left leg. He was set to make his first appearance at the Caja Magica in Madrid this coming Saturday.
A two-time champion of the Madrid Open, having clinched victories in both 2022 and 2023, Alcaraz was seeded second this week and shared a draw with Novak Djokovic.
“I did everything I could to compete,” Alcaraz stated, acknowledging the “difficult decision” to step back after consulting with medical professionals and listening to his body’s signals.
“Madrid holds a unique place in my heart. It’s a tournament I truly relish, especially with the chance to showcase my skills in front of my fans. It’s where my passion for tennis began when I was a child,” Alcaraz remarked. “Such decisions are never easy, but it’s crucial to prioritize health. A Grand Slam is unparalleled. Competing here could jeopardize my recovery and sideline me for an extended period—no victory is worth that.”
Feeling “confident” in his ability to recover in time for next month’s Roland Garros, Alcaraz is the defending champion, having triumphed over Alexander Zverev in the final last year. Zverev recently overtook Alcaraz to secure the No. 2 spot in the world rankings following his victory in Munich last week.
“I’m not overly concerned. I estimate about a week, maybe a week and a half, or at most two weeks for full recovery, and I anticipate returning to peak performance,” Alcaraz stated confidently.
He aims to participate in the Rome tournament prior to the French Open, slated to begin on May 25.
“My game plan is to do everything possible to be at 100% for Rome. I will undergo assessments early next week to gauge my progress, and we will see how things unfold in the following days,” he elaborated. “My goal is to compete in Rome, but if that’s not feasible, the next stop is Roland Garros. I’m eager to get back on the court as soon as I can.”
During his straight-sets defeat against Holger Rune in the Barcelona final, Alcaraz required treatment for his leg. He had not yet practiced in Madrid and indicated that he felt “fine,” pending medical evaluations to confirm his ability to compete.
Alcaraz, who is turning 22 on May 5, began his clay-court season with a win in Monte Carlo, boasting a remarkable nine-match winning streak leading up to the Barcelona final. He later experienced discomfort in his left leg.
Expressing his determination, Alcaraz pledged to “return even stronger” while also voicing concerns about the grueling tennis schedule.
“Tennis is indeed a demanding sport,” he reflected. “Competing week after week, enduring consecutive matches, requires careful attention to your body, and difficult choices must be made in the name of self-care.”
This four-time Grand Slam champion holds a 24-5 record for the year and has not only celebrated success in Monte Carlo but also secured a title in Rotterdam on hard courts back in February.
“The schedule is undeniably tight, with a relentless series of challenging tournaments, making it essential to prioritize well-being and make informed decisions regarding one’s health,” he concluded.
