Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish tennis sensation, has sent a wave of cautious optimism through the tennis world as he hinted at his potential participation in the 2025 Madrid Open, just days after a troubling injury scare in the Barcelona Open final. The world No. 3, who suffered an adductor muscle injury during a grueling 7-6(6), 6-2 loss to Holger Rune on April 20, 2025, faces a race against time to defend his back-to-back Madrid titles from 2022 and 2023. Despite the setback, Alcaraz’s recent comments and public appearances suggest he’s determined to compete on home soil, though the results of a critical MRI scan will ultimately decide his fate.
Alcaraz’s Barcelona campaign began with the promise of a third consecutive title, following his dominant Monte Carlo Masters victory earlier in April. The Spaniard, who hadn’t lost in Barcelona since 2021, broke Rune early in the final, showcasing the explosive forehands and relentless energy that have defined his rise. But the second set brought a stark shift. After taking a medical timeout at 2-1, Alcaraz struggled visibly, his movement hampered by discomfort in his right leg. “At the start of the second set, everything was very intense, and I felt the adductor muscle in my right leg was very tight,” he revealed post-match, acknowledging the physical toll of playing 10 matches in 12 days across Monte Carlo and Barcelona. Rune seized the opportunity, snapping a 13-match losing streak against top-five opponents to claim his first ATP 500 title, while Alcaraz’s defeat saw him slip to No. 3 behind Alexander Zverev, who won in Munich.
The injury, centered in the adductor muscle—a critical group of inner thigh muscles essential for lateral movement—has raised alarms ahead of the Madrid Open, which begins April 23, 2025. Alcaraz underwent an MRI scan on April 21 to assess the damage, with results expected to determine whether he can compete at the Caja Mágica, where he’s a crowd favorite. Despite the uncertainty, Alcaraz struck a hopeful tone, stating, “I’m confident it won’t affect me in Madrid.” His appearance at the Laureus Awards in Madrid on April 21, where he smiled alongside Rafael Nadal, further fueled optimism. “To tell the truth, I’m fine; honestly, nothing out of the ordinary,” he said in an interview, downplaying the injury’s severity while acknowledging the grueling schedule. “After two weeks with 10 matches in 12 days, including travel without much time for recovery, I believe my body gave me a small warning.”
The Madrid Open holds immense significance for Alcaraz, not just as a two-time champion but as a home event where he thrives on the support of family and fans. “Playing here is so special,” he said, reflecting on past triumphs, including his historic 2022 run when he defeated Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Zverev consecutively to become the tournament’s youngest champion. With a first-round bye and a second-round match against either Zizou Bergs or Yoshihito Nishioka, Alcaraz has a slight buffer to recover. A potential semifinal clash with Djokovic looms, adding urgency to his fitness. However, his team, led by coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, remains cautious, wary of risking long-term damage with the French Open—where Alcaraz is the defending champion—less than six weeks away.
Alcaraz’s predicament echoes the challenges faced by his idol, Nadal, whose clay-court dominance inspired the young Spaniard. “I bow at the feet of Rafa because of what he did week after week,” Alcaraz said, marveling at Nadal’s ability to conquer Monte Carlo and Barcelona consecutively. The Barcelona loss, coupled with the injury, has sparked debate about Alcaraz’s scheduling, with some suggesting he skip Madrid to preserve his body for Roland Garros. Yet, his competitive spirit and connection to Madrid make withdrawal unlikely unless the scan reveals significant damage. As the tennis world awaits the verdict, Alcaraz’s resilience and determination remain his greatest assets, hinting that the “Carlitos” show may yet dazzle the Madrid faithful.