As the tennis world turns its attention to the 2025 Madrid Open, all eyes are on Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion whose physical condition has left former world No. 2 Alex Corretja feeling “uneasy.” The 21-year-old Spaniard, a four-time Grand Slam winner and former world No. 1, is racing against time to recover from an adductor muscle injury sustained during a grueling Barcelona Open final loss to Holger Rune on April 20, 2025. With the Madrid Open’s main draw set to begin on May 23, Alcaraz’s participation remains uncertain, prompting Corretja to urge the young star to prioritize his long-term health over hometown glory.
Alcaraz arrived in Barcelona as the reigning king of clay, having defended his title there in 2022 and 2023 without dropping a set. Fresh off a Monte Carlo Masters triumph earlier in April, he appeared poised to claim a third consecutive Barcelona crown. However, the physical toll of playing 10 matches in 12 days across Monte Carlo and Barcelona caught up with him. In the Barcelona final, Alcaraz started strong, breaking Rune early, but his movement faltered in the second set. “At the start of the second set, everything was very intense, and I felt the adductor muscle in my right leg was very tight,” Alcaraz revealed post-match. A medical timeout after three games offered little relief, and Rune capitalized, securing a 7-6(6), 6-2 victory to claim his first ATP 500 title.
The defeat not only ended Alcaraz’s 14-match winning streak in Barcelona but also dropped him to No. 3 in the ATP rankings, with Alexander Zverev reclaiming No. 2 after winning in Munich. More concerning, however, was the visible discomfort Alcaraz displayed, particularly in his right leg, with reports suggesting issues in the psoas and groin areas. “I’ve struggled to keep going and maintain a good level,” he admitted, noting the intensity of the clay season’s demands. Alcaraz underwent an MRI scan on April 21 to assess the injury’s severity, with results set to determine his Madrid Open participation. “I’m confident it won’t hurt me ahead of Madrid,” he said optimistically, though he emphasized the need for rest and consultation with his team.
Corretja, a two-time French Open finalist and Spanish tennis icon, expressed skepticism about Alcaraz’s readiness. “Physically, I’m going with concerns,” he stated, highlighting the tight turnaround from Barcelona’s Sunday final to Madrid’s demanding schedule. “He’s accumulated ten games in twelve days and a muscle injury on Sunday, so to be at full strength in four or five days in Madrid, he’ll be just in time because the schedule is going to be tough.” Corretja urged Alcaraz to “think with his head and leave his heart aside,” cautioning against risking further injury for the sake of playing at home. “If it were Rome, would he push himself to the limit? Well, I don’t think so, so he shouldn’t do it because it’s Madrid,” he added, emphasizing the looming French Open, where Alcaraz is the defending champion.
The Madrid Open holds special significance for Alcaraz, who became the youngest match winner in the tournament’s history in 2021 and clinched back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023. “Playing here is so special,” he said, citing the support of family, friends, and his home crowd. Yet, with a first-round bye and a second-round match against either Zizou Bergs or Yoshihito Nishioka scheduled for May 24, time is short. A potential semifinal clash with Novak Djokovic looms, adding pressure to perform at peak fitness. Corretja’s unease reflects broader concerns about Alcaraz’s grueling schedule and the physical demands of professional tennis at such a young age. As the tennis world awaits the scan results, Alcaraz’s decision—whether to compete or prioritize recovery—could shape his clay season and beyond.