Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish tennis prodigy and world No. 3, stood somberly before a packed press room at Madrid’s Caja Magica on April 24, 2025, delivering news that sent ripples through the tennis world. The two-time Madrid Open champion announced his withdrawal from the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open, citing a dual muscle injury sustained during his recent Barcelona Open final. A small tear in his right adductor and a newly revealed left hamstring issue have not only dashed his hopes of a third Madrid title but also set the stage for a significant blow to his ATP rankings, potentially reshaping the race for the top spots as the clay season intensifies. “In the Barcelona final, I felt something in the left hamstring. I didn’t think it was that serious,” Alcaraz admitted, his voice heavy with disappointment. “I’m really disappointed that I’m not able to play here in Madrid. It’s a special place for me.”
Alcaraz’s 2025 season had been a masterclass in resilience and flair. With a 24-5 record, including titles in Rotterdam and Monte Carlo, he reclaimed the world No. 2 ranking after a thrilling Monte Carlo Masters victory over Lorenzo Musetti. His nine-match clay-court winning streak, however, came to a painful halt in Barcelona against Holger Rune, where he felt discomfort in his right adductor during a grueling second set. “After a couple of rallies, I felt something in my right adductor, which set alarm bells ringing,” he said post-match, initially hopeful it wouldn’t derail his Madrid campaign. But medical scans revealed the extent of the damage, compounded by a hamstring issue, forcing a tough call. “I couldn’t practice the entire week and found out I had hamstring and groin injuries,” he explained, emphasizing the need to prioritize recovery. “We took the decision not to take risks for the future.”
The withdrawal carries immediate consequences for Alcaraz’s ATP rankings. Having reached the quarterfinals in Madrid last year, he was set to defend 200 ranking points. Without competing, those points will vanish, widening the gap with world No. 2 Alexander Zverev, who overtook him just days ago after winning the BMW Open in Munich. Zverev, defending only 100 points in Madrid, now holds a razor-thin five-point lead, but Alcaraz’s absence could see him fall further, potentially out of the top three if players like Daniil Medvedev or Holger Rune capitalize. “It’s not easy, coming from hard court to clay and playing so many matches in a row,” Alcaraz reflected, acknowledging the physical toll of his 10 matches in 12 days across Monte Carlo and Barcelona. The loss of points is a bitter pill, especially with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner nearly 2,000 points ahead, an unassailable lead for now.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Alcaraz, a Madrid native who cherishes the tournament as “the first I ever went to as a young kid.” His 15-2 record at the Caja Magica, including titles in 2022 and 2023, made him the top favorite alongside Zverev. Drawn in the same half as Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz was slated to face Zizou Bergs or Gabriel Diallo after a first-round bye, with a potential blockbuster semi-final against the Serbian legend. Instead, a lucky loser will take his spot, and Alcaraz’s focus shifts to recovery for the Italian Open (May 7-18) and his French Open title defense starting May 25. “My plan is going to Rome. I’ll do everything it takes to be 100 percent for Rome,” he vowed, though he added cautiously, “If not, the next tournament is Roland Garros for me.”
Alcaraz’s absence reverberates beyond the rankings. The Madrid Open loses a hometown hero whose electrifying play—drop shots, booming forehands, and relentless movement—has redefined clay-court tennis. His withdrawal also raises alarms for Roland Garros, where he’ll defend 2,000 points. Last year’s forearm injury forced him to skip Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Rome, yet he roared back to win Paris and Wimbledon. “I’m less worried than last year,” he said, drawing on that resilience. “I’ve experienced this injury and know how to deal with it.” Further tests scheduled for Monday will clarify his recovery timeline, but Alcaraz remains defiant. “I will come back stronger,” he promised, signing off with a message of hope for his fans.
As Zverev, Djokovic, and defending champion Andrey Rublev vie for Madrid’s crown, Alcaraz’s setback opens the door for rivals to gain ground. Yet, with his sights set on Rome and Paris, the Spaniard’s story is far from over. His grit, coupled with a fanbase chanting “Carlitos,” ensures this is merely a pause in his quest to reclaim the tennis throne.
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