9am News report: Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Madrid Open due to a muscle injury, throwing his 2025 clay-court season into uncertainty just weeks before the French Open.
The 21-year-old picked up an abductor injury during his defeat to Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final last week, where he lost 7-6, 6-2. Alcaraz appeared to struggle physically during the match, calling a medical timeout after the third game of the second set.
“We’ve made the decision not to take risks”
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Alcaraz expressed his disappointment over missing one of his favourite tournaments.
“Things have not gone the way I wanted to play here,” he said. “We have made the decision not to take risks.”
Alcaraz emphasized that while Madrid holds special meaning for him, his focus is on recovery and long-term fitness.
“Madrid is one of the special tournaments for me… I get to play in front of my fans here in Madrid. It’s one of the first tournaments I attended as a kid. But sometimes you have to think about your health and what’s important.”
He added,
“Madrid is very important, but a Grand Slam is a Grand Slam. If I play here, I could make the injuries worse and stop for several months—and that’s not worth it.”
Rome Masters and Roland-Garros in Sight
While Alcaraz is not yet certain to compete in the Rome Masters, his mindset remains optimistic. He confirmed that he will undergo medical tests early next week to assess his recovery.
“My plan is to go to Rome. My mindset is to do everything it takes to be 100% for Rome,” he said. “My hope is to play in Rome. If not, next tournament is Roland-Garros for me. So, I will try to be on court as soon as possible.”
Alcaraz began the 2025 clay season on a high note, winning the Monte Carlo Masters earlier this month. He fought back from a set down to defeat Lorenzo Musetti in the final—his sixth ATP Masters 1000 title and first since Indian Wells 2024.
However, the Barcelona Open loss and subsequent injury have become major hurdles in his preparation for the French Open, one of the most important events on the tennis calendar.
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