The tennis world is holding its breath as Carlos Alcaraz, the electrifying Spanish prodigy and World No. 3, faces uncertainty over his participation in the 2025 Madrid Open, a tournament where he has twice lifted the trophy. Just days after a grueling loss in the Barcelona Open final on April 20, 2025, the 21-year-old revealed he is grappling with an injury to his right leg’s adductor muscle, casting a shadow over his home Masters event. As the clay courts of the Caja Mágica prepare to welcome the world’s best, Alcaraz’s fitness remains a focal point, with his next steps hinging on critical medical tests.
Alcaraz’s 2025 season has been a whirlwind of triumphs and challenges. Fresh off a commanding Monte Carlo Masters title earlier this month—his first at the prestigious event—he arrived in Barcelona aiming to secure a third consecutive crown. The final against Denmark’s Holger Rune, however, proved a turning point. After a fiercely contested first set, which Rune clinched 7-6(8-6), Alcaraz’s movement faltered. At 2-1 in the second set, he called for a medical timeout, receiving treatment on his upper right leg. Despite returning with heavy strapping, his mobility was visibly compromised, and Rune capitalized, sealing a 6-2 second set to claim the title. The loss not only cost Alcaraz the trophy but also saw him slip to No. 3 in the ATP rankings, overtaken by Alexander Zverev.
Speaking at a Netflix documentary premiere in Madrid, Alcaraz offered a cautiously optimistic update on his condition. “Physically, I feel fine,” he said, acknowledging the toll of a demanding schedule. “I’ve had tests, and we’ll see what the results say. I’m used to playing with discomfort, so let’s hope I can play and enjoy Madrid.” His comments reflect a seasoned athlete accustomed to navigating physical setbacks, yet the stakes are high. The Madrid Open, starting April 23, 2025, is a cornerstone of his season, not only for its emotional significance as a home event but also for its impact on his pursuit of the World No. 1 ranking, with Jannik Sinner’s return from a doping ban looming.
The injury, identified as an adductor muscle issue, emerged during Barcelona’s intense exchanges, exacerbated by Alcaraz’s punishing schedule of 10 matches in 12 days across Monte Carlo and Barcelona. “To tell the truth, I’m fine; honestly, nothing out of the ordinary, I think,” he shared at the Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid on April 21, where he mingled with tennis icons like Rafael Nadal. “After two weeks with 10 matches in 12 days, including travel without much time for recovery, I believe that eventually the body starts giving you small warnings, right? I believe and trust that it’s not going to be anything serious.” Alcaraz underwent an MRI scan on Monday, and while he worked with his physiotherapist, noting “positive things,” the final verdict on his participation remains pending.
The Madrid Open draw has added urgency to his recovery. As the No. 2 seed, Alcaraz received a first-round bye and is slated to face either Zizou Bergs or Yoshihito Nishioka in the second round on April 26, benefiting from an extra day’s rest as his half of the draw plays on Saturday. A potential semifinal clash with Novak Djokovic, who bested him in a thrilling 2022 Madrid encounter, looms large, with top seed Zverev a possible final opponent. Alcaraz’s past successes in Madrid—back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023—underscore his affinity for the event, making his potential absence a blow to both fans and the tournament, especially without Nadal, who retired in 2024.
Alcaraz’s resilience has been a hallmark of his young career. Despite missing Monte Carlo and Barcelona in 2024 due to a forearm injury, he roared back to defend his French Open and Wimbledon titles. His reflections on Nadal’s dominance resonate now: “I bow at the feet of Rafa because of what he did week after week. You have to respect that,” he said after Barcelona, marveling at the physical and mental toll of consecutive tournaments. Yet, reports suggest a graver concern, with some Spanish media indicating a possible grade 2 hamstring strain requiring 2-3 weeks of recovery, potentially sidelining him for Madrid and threatening his Roland Garros preparations.
As Alcaraz awaits test results, his focus is on balancing ambition with caution. “It’s been two weeks of nonstop play, and it’s been a real challenge,” he admitted post-Barcelona. “Today wasn’t possible, but I gave everything I had.” With the tennis world watching, Alcaraz’s next move—whether a triumphant return or a prudent withdrawal—will shape his clay-court campaign and his quest to reclaim the top spot.