Injury forces Alcaraz out of Madrid as Roland Garros focus takes priority
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Madrid Open due to a right thigh injury, dealing a significant setback to his clay-court preparations ahead of his French Open title defence next month.
The world number three confirmed the news on Thursday, saying he had done everything possible to be ready for Madrid but ultimately chose not to risk further damage after aggravating the injury during his Barcelona Open final loss to Holger Rune on Sunday.
“I did everything that was in my hands but it didn’t improve a lot over the last few days,” said Alcaraz at a press conference. “Things didn’t work out as I wanted to be able to play here, and we have decided not to take risks.
“If I played, I was going to be messed up for longer than expected… hard decisions had to be made, and I think we made the right one.”
The 21-year-old Spaniard, who lifted the Madrid title in 2022 and 2023, had not trained since arriving in the Spanish capital on Monday. In addition to the thigh issue, Alcaraz revealed he was also experiencing discomfort in his left hamstring.
Despite the setback, Alcaraz remains optimistic about competing at Roland Garros and has not ruled out a return in Rome.
“I think I will definitely be at Roland Garros and I will do everything possible to be in Rome,” he said. “If I don’t play any tournaments before Roland Garros, I don’t care about it. I know what is my level, I know what I have to do to play good tennis.”
Alcaraz has had an up-and-down start to 2025, exiting early in Miami before bouncing back to win the Monte Carlo Masters.
(Source: AFP)
