Alcaraz pulls out of Madrid Open due to injury.
Carlos Alcaraz Withdraws from Madrid Open with Thigh Injury
World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Madrid Open due to a thigh injury, dealing a setback to his preparations for defending his French Open title.
The Spaniard, a four-time Grand Slam champion, picked up the injury during his loss to Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final last Sunday. Speaking at a press conference, Alcaraz said:
“I did everything I could, but it hasn’t improved much over the last few days. Things didn’t go as I hoped, and we’ve decided not to take any risks. If I played, I’d likely make things worse… tough decisions had to be made, and I believe we made the right one.”
The 21-year-old was aiming for a third consecutive Madrid title, having won in 2022 and 2023. However, he hadn’t trained since arriving in the city on Monday.
Alcaraz is still hopeful of playing in the Italian Open and is confident he’ll be ready for Roland Garros, which starts on May 25.
“I’m sure I’ll be at the French Open, and I’ll do everything possible to be in Rome. I have another test on Monday, and from there, we’ll assess the situation and plan accordingly.”
In addition to the right thigh injury, Alcaraz revealed he has also felt discomfort in his left hamstring. He’s had an inconsistent season so far, exiting early in Miami but bouncing back with a strong showing in Monte Carlo, where he won the title.
“It’s been a tough transition from hard court to clay — playing so many matches without rest isn’t easy. Tennis players have to make difficult choices sometimes,” Alcaraz explained.
Despite the setback, he remains mentally strong and confident in his game.
“This won’t affect my confidence. If I don’t play Rome or any tournament before Roland Garros, I’m not worried. I know my level and what I need to do to play well.”
