Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Madrid Open

Carlos Alcaraz has decided to opt out of the upcoming Madrid Open due to an injury. The Spaniard revealed he suffered a hamstring injury during the Barcelona Open final, which he lost in straight sets (7-6, 6-2) against Holger Rune.

Before the Barcelona Open, Alcaraz had won the Monte-Carlo Masters and had admitted it was not easy for him to win back-to-back titles as he didn’t get much time to recharge his batteries.

“In the Barcelona final I felt something in the left hamstring, I didn’t think that it was that serious,” Alcaraz said in the pre-tournament press conference. “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. 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. I will come back stronger. I will come back with a lot of power for the next tournaments. I’m really disappointed [to] not be playing here in Madrid.”

The Spaniard received treatment on his upper right leg during the Barcelona Open final and the two-time Madrid champion said he isn’t ready for the upcoming tournament.

“It was the first year I went really far in Monte-Carlo but it was also the first year I lost in the first match in Miami, so I had time to prepare for the clay season,” Alcaraz said. “But it is not easy. A different surface, coming from hard court to clay court and playing so many matches in a row and having no time to rest, is not easy. Tennis players have to take difficult decisions sometimes.”

The youngster said he wants to be ready for Rome and do everything to be 100% fit for the Italian Open.

“My plan is going to Rome. My mindset is to do everything it takes to be 100 per cent for Rome. I will do some tests at the beginning of next week just to see how it’s improved and from that let’s see how it’s going to be the next days,” Alcaraz said. “My hope is to play in Rome. If not, the next tournament is Roland Garros for me. So I will try to be on court as soon as possible.”