Four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz has pulled out of the Madrid Open in Spain no thanks to an adductor injury.
The 21-year-old Spaniard revealed he had injured his hamstring and groin during the second set in the Final of the Barcelona Open last Sunday. He left the court for treatment during the Barcelona Open Final against Holger Rune but was able to resume the match, which he lost to the Dane in straight sets.
Alcaraz received treatment on his upper right leg during his defeat to Holger Rune in the Barcelona final. The two-time Madrid champion, who also won the title in Monte-Carlo earlier in April, was hoping to be fit to play at the ATP Masters 1000 event but feels that the tournament has come too soon.
“In the Barcelona final I felt something in the left hamstring, I didn’t think that it was that serious,” Alcaraz said. “I’m really disappointed that I’m not able to play here in Madrid. It is a place that I love playing in front of my people, in front of my family, my friends.”
He added, “They are not able to travel so much, so here is a special place for me. It was a really difficult situation, really difficult to decide, not [being] able to play. I think it is what it is. Tennis is really a demanding sport. Playing week after week, so many matches in a row and you have to heal your body sometimes and take difficult decisions.”
Alcaraz confirmed he intends to travel to Rome for the Italian Open, which begins on 6th May – before heading to Roland Garros for the defence of his French Open title scheduled to start on 25th May.