Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old tennis prodigy and world No. 3, stood before a hushed press room at Madrid’s Caja Magica on April 24, 2025, his usual spark dimmed by the weight of a tough decision. The two-time Madrid Open champion, a hometown hero whose dazzling clay-court prowess has electrified Spanish fans, announced his withdrawal from the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open, citing not one but two muscle injuries sustained during his recent Barcelona Open final. The revelation of a previously undisclosed left hamstring injury, alongside a right adductor issue, has cast a shadow over his clay season, raising concerns about his readiness for the looming French Open title defense starting May 25.
Alcaraz’s journey to this moment began with a scintillating start to the 2025 clay season. Fresh off a Monte Carlo Masters triumph earlier in April, where he dispatched Lorenzo Musetti in a gripping three-set final, the Spaniard carried a nine-match winning streak into the Barcelona Open. There, he reached his third final in three years, facing Denmark’s Holger Rune. But the match, a grueling 7-6(6), 6-2 loss, exposed Alcaraz’s physical limits. During the second set, with the score tight at 2-1, he called for a medical timeout, clutching his right leg. “The second set started with long rallies, intense rallies … I felt something in my right adductor which set alarm bells ringing,” he later shared, his voice tinged with frustration. “It’s difficult to stay focused on playing, you worry about how you are going to be physically, how your health is.” Despite returning with heavy strapping, he faltered, unable to win another game as Rune claimed the title.
Initially, Alcaraz downplayed the adductor injury, expressing optimism about Madrid. “I’ll talk with my team, we’ll do some tests, but I’m confident it won’t affect me in Madrid,” he said post-match in Barcelona. But scans revealed a graver reality: a small tear in his right adductor and an unexpected left hamstring issue. “During the Barcelona final, I hurt the adductor muscle in my right leg, but I also felt something in the hamstring of my left leg,” he disclosed at his Madrid press conference. The dual injuries, compounded by a grueling schedule of 10 matches in just over two weeks, left him unable to practice. “I couldn’t practice the entire week and found out I had hamstring and groin injuries. I needed to listen to my body and make the right decision,” he told reporters, his tone resolute yet heavy with disappointment.
The decision to withdraw was agonizing for Alcaraz, who cherishes the Madrid Open as “the first tournament I ever went to as a young kid” and “the most special place for me to play.” A two-time champion in 2022 and 2023, he reached the quarterfinals last year despite a forearm injury, showcasing his grit. This time, however, the risk was too great, especially with Roland Garros on the horizon. “We took the decision not to take risks for the future,” he said, emphasizing his focus on recovery. “On Monday, I’ll have more medical tests, and after that, we will have a better idea on how long I’ll be out.”
Alcaraz’s withdrawal is a blow to the Madrid Open, where he was seeded second behind Alexander Zverev and drawn in the same half as Novak Djokovic. After a first-round bye, he was set to face either Zizou Bergs or Gabriel Diallo on April 26. His absence will see a lucky loser take his place, while Alcaraz drops 200 ranking points, widening the gap with Zverev in the race for world No. 2. Yet, the Spaniard remains upbeat, drawing on past resilience. “I’m less worried than last year,” he said, referencing his 2024 forearm injury that forced him to skip Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Rome. “I’ve already experienced this injury and I know how to deal with it. I know I’m going to come back stronger.”
Looking ahead, Alcaraz is eyeing a return at the Italian Open (May 7-18), though he admitted, “I don’t want to take anything for granted.” His primary goal is clear: “We’ll definitely be at Roland Garros, and we’ll try to be there in Rome.” With a 24-5 record this year, including titles in Rotterdam and Monte Carlo, Alcaraz’s confidence remains high. “I don’t play any tournaments before Roland Garros, I mean, for me I don’t care about it,” he said, signaling his focus on the Grand Slam. As he prepares for further tests and a cautious recovery, Alcaraz’s fans hold their breath, hoping their “Carlitos” will soon dazzle again on the red dirt of Paris.