Carlos Alcaraz announced on Thursday he will not play in the Mutua Madrid Open due to a muscle issue he has been carrying for the last few days. Despite trying until the last minute in the Spanish capital, the No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings has followed his doctor’s advice and withdrawn from the fourth ATP Masters 1000 of the year. The Spaniard, a two-time champion on the courts of the Caja Magica, was the second seed at one of the biggest events in the European clay swing.
“As I think you all suspected because I haven’t been able to practise this week, I won’t be able to play in the tournament”, revealed the Spaniard. “In the final in Barcelona, you saw the physio come on to treat the adductor muscle in my right leg, but I also felt something in my left hamstring. I had to listen to my body. I think we’ve made the right decision. I’ll try to rest and recover so that I can be back on court as soon as possible”.
The Murcia native touched down in the Caja Magica after a sensational start to the European clay swing, taking the title in Monte Carlo and reaching the final in Barcelona in April. The current French Open champion has bolstered his reputation as the man to beat on clay, winning 21 of his last 23 matches on the surface.
“I’ll have another test on Monday to see how it has progressed this week. From there we’ll adjust the timings. We’ll evaluate what we do in the coming weeks, how my body is. I think in one or two weeks I’ll gradually go back to practising, but I don’t want to take anything for granted. We’ll definitely be at Roland Garros and I’ll try to be in Rome. That’s the goal”.
The Spaniard seemed positive in the face of an injury that he has struggled with before. Unlike in 2024, when a new forearm injury affected his performances in the Caja Magica, this time Alcaraz is dealing with a foe that is more familiar to him.
“I’m less concerned than last year”, explained the Murcia native. “It was a difficult time and there was a lot of uncertainty, not knowing when I would hit a ball again with the forearm issue. I’ve experienced this injury before, I know how to handle it. I know I’ll come back stronger. Hopefully it turns out like last year, but I’m sure I’ll recover as soon as possible”.
“It’s a tough blow for me, but I’ve taken it pretty well. In the end, things happen for a reason. I always say that every cloud has a silver lining. That’s what I have to think. It’s frustrating not being able to play in Madrid in front of my people, but there will be other chances. I’ll come back stronger. I haven’t been feeling down because I’ve taken it well. I’ve put all my energy into recovering as soon as possible”.
With a 24-5 record this season, Alcaraz arrived in the Caja Magica as the player with the most wins on the ATP Tour. Far from treating his forced downtime as something negative, the Spaniard has brushed it off and is focused on his immediate recovery.
“You have to accept the things that happen. I’m learning from the situations I go through. We learn to deal with things as best we can. I’m someone who tries to see the positive side of things, even though it may be difficult. I think I’m someone who comes back more excited than ever after an injury. Sometimes tough times come, with injuries at times when you want to be out there. But you have to look forward and think about what’s coming in the future”.
Alcaraz is one of the players who has had the biggest impact in the recent history of the Mutua Madrid Open, with two crowns that were key to his meteoric rise on the ATP Tour. In 2022, the Murcia native became the only player who had ever defeated Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on clay at the same tournament. In 2023, he joined the Mallorcan as the only men to have successfully defended their title in the Spanish capital.
“Madrid is one of the most special tournaments on my schedule. It’s the tournament I’m most excited about playing, in front of my people. It’s one of the first tournaments I came to see when I was little. Being here, playing on the court is so exciting for me. These decisions are not easy. Sometimes you have to look after your health, and things that are really important. Madrid is one of the most important tournaments, but a Grand Slam is a Grand Slam. If I play, I have to evaluate what that means. I might injure myself more and have to take a few months off. You have to put all your cards on the table and make a decision from there”.
“I can’t play in front of my people all year, only in Barcelona and Madrid. Not being able to do it is hard to take. I always do everything possible to get to this part of the year and to be able to enjoy my tennis, to enjoy the affection and energy. It’s always special, they’ve always supported me. I’m so grateful for that. My wins are also theirs, because they cheer me on in difficult moments, they buoy me when I need them most. It’s frustrating that I can’t play this year. God willing, I’ll have many other years that we can enjoy together”.
