Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish tennis sensation, is gearing up for a highly anticipated return to the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome, fueled by a renewed sense of purpose. After withdrawing from the Madrid Open due to an adductor injury sustained in Barcelona, the world number three has confirmed his participation in the Italian Masters, aiming to reclaim the number two ranking and solidify his French Open preparations. “I’m thrilled to be back in Rome,” Alcaraz declared, signaling his intent to make a statement on the Foro Italico’s red clay starting May 8, 2025. With his injury now healed and a strategic opportunity to overtake Alexander Zverev in the rankings, Alcaraz’s Rome campaign carries added weight as he eyes a deep run to boost his confidence ahead of Roland Garros.
Alcaraz’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and setbacks. The four-time Grand Slam champion, who became the youngest male to complete a Career Surface Slam with his 2024 French Open victory, started the year strongly, capturing titles in Rotterdam and Monte Carlo. However, injuries have tested his resilience. A right forearm issue sidelined him for the Monte-Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open, while an adductor injury forced his withdrawal from Madrid. “Tennis is really a demanding sport,” Alcaraz reflected, acknowledging the grueling schedule that led to his Madrid absence. Despite these challenges, he completed high-intensity training sessions in Murcia without discomfort, confirming his readiness for Rome. “My hope is to play in Rome,” he said earlier, a goal now realized as he prepares to travel to the Italian capital on May 6, his 22nd birthday.
The Rome Open offers Alcaraz a golden opportunity to reshape the ATP rankings. Currently ranked third, he trails world number two Alexander Zverev, the 2024 Rome champion. If Zverev fails to defend his title and Alcaraz reaches at least the semifinals, the Spaniard could leapfrog him, securing the number two spot before the French Open. “I am an ambitious guy and I’m going full for the win in Rome,” Alcaraz asserted, echoing his mindset after retaining his Madrid title in 2023. This ranking boost would ensure he avoids world number one Jannik Sinner until a potential Roland Garros final, a tactical advantage for the 2024 finalist who fell to Novak Djokovic in a hard-fought Paris showdown. Alcaraz’s vocal support for Spanish athletes, including Real Madrid and MMA fighter Ilia Topuria, underscores his competitive spirit, which he’ll channel into this pivotal tournament.
Rome has been a mixed bag for Alcaraz. His 2023 debut ended in a stunning third-round upset to world number 135 Fabian Marozsan, a 6-3, 7-6(4) loss labeled the biggest shock of the ATP season. “I just didn’t feel comfortable. He made me feel uncomfortable on court,” Alcaraz admitted, crediting Marozsan’s aggressive play and deft drop shots. The defeat halted a 12-match clay-court winning streak after titles in Barcelona and Madrid, prompting soul-searching before his top-seeded French Open run. In 2024, Alcaraz withdrew from Rome due to a forearm injury, a recurring issue that also disrupted his clay season. “I felt some pain after playing in Madrid, some discomfort in my arm,” he noted, explaining his decision to prioritize recovery. Now, with a clean bill of health, he’s determined to make his mark. “I need to rest so I can recover and play 100% pain-free,” he emphasized, a promise he’s fulfilled through diligent rehabilitation.
The Italian Open also marks a broader narrative of comebacks, with Sinner returning after a three-month doping suspension. Alcaraz’s presence, alongside Sinner’s, elevates the tournament’s star power, though injuries to players like Daniil Medvedev highlight the clay swing’s physical toll. Alcaraz’s aggressive baseline game, often compared to Rafael Nadal’s, thrives on Rome’s slower courts, which mirror Roland Garros conditions. “I know I have an ability to play good in the important moments,” he said, a trait evident in his 14-4 record in ATP finals. His charity work, including the Carlos Alcaraz Garfia Foundation’s flood relief efforts in Valencia, adds depth to his off-court impact, making his return a story of resilience and ambition.
As Alcaraz steps onto the Foro Italico, the stakes are clear: a deep run could redefine his season, restore his ranking, and silence doubts after a patchy clay campaign. With Roland Garros on the horizon, where he’s among the favorites alongside Djokovic and Sinner, Rome is more than a tournament—it’s a proving ground. “I’m very proud of what I am accomplishing,” Alcaraz said, his words carrying the weight of a champion ready to conquer new heights.
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