Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish tennis prodigy, has been a force to be reckoned with on the ATP Tour, but his 2025 season has been marred by persistent injuries, prompting concern and advice from tennis veterans. The world No. 2, who recently withdrew from the Madrid Open due to a right adductor muscle injury and a left hamstring issue sustained during the Barcelona Open final, has been candid about the toll of his grueling schedule. In a heartfelt press conference in Madrid, Alcaraz revealed the physical and mental strain of his relentless calendar, sparking a conversation about the sustainability of his career trajectory.
The injuries, which forced Alcaraz to miss his home tournament in Madrid, came on the heels of a demanding two-week stretch where he played 10 matches in 12 days across Monte Carlo and Barcelona. In Monte Carlo, he clinched the title, defeating Lorenzo Musetti in a thrilling three-set final, but the Barcelona Open proved less forgiving. Facing Holger Rune in the final, Alcaraz struggled in the second set, requiring a medical timeout as his body faltered. “The second set started with long rallies, intense rallies … I felt something in my right adductor which set alarm bells ringing,” he said, reflecting on the moment his body signaled distress. Despite his efforts, Rune claimed the title in straight sets, ending Alcaraz’s bid for a third consecutive Barcelona crown.
Former world No. 4 Adriano Panatta, a French Open champion, weighed in on Alcaraz’s predicament, attributing the injuries to an overly packed schedule. Panatta emphasized that the young Spaniard’s frenetic playing style, combined with near-constant tournament commitments, is a recipe for physical breakdown. He urged Alcaraz to adopt a more selective approach to his calendar, prioritizing recovery to ensure longevity in a sport notorious for its physical demands. “Tennis is a really demanding sport, playing week after week, so many matches in a row,” Alcaraz acknowledged, echoing Panatta’s concerns. “You must heal your body sometimes & take difficult decisions.”
Alcaraz’s injury woes are not new. In 2024, a right forearm issue sidelined him for Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and the Italian Open, though he remarkably bounced back to win the French Open. Earlier setbacks include an abdominal tear in 2022 that forced him out of the ATP Finals, a hamstring injury that cost him the 2023 Australian Open, and a leg injury during the 2023 Rio Open. These recurring issues have raised questions about whether Alcaraz’s aggressive, all-court game—marked by explosive speed and powerful groundstrokes—is sustainable without strategic breaks. “I was talking with my team, with the doctors, to see if I would be able to arrive to play in Madrid in good condition,” Alcaraz said. “I did everything possible … But I wasn’t able to improve things enough.”
Despite the setback, Alcaraz remains optimistic about his recovery, targeting the Italian Open in Rome, which begins May 7, as his next opportunity to compete. “We took the decision not to take risks for the future,” he said, underscoring his commitment to long-term health over short-term gains. His coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, a former world No. 1, has been instrumental in navigating these challenges, adjusting training regimens to mitigate injury risks. Alcaraz’s resilience is evident in his 2025 achievements, including titles in Monte Carlo and a runner-up finish in Barcelona, but the Madrid withdrawal has opened a window for rivals like Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic to gain ground on clay.
The tennis world is watching closely as Alcaraz balances his ambition with his body’s limits. “I will come back strong with a lot of power for the next tournaments,” he vowed, a testament to his unyielding spirit. For now, the Spaniard’s focus is on recovery, guided by the wisdom of those like Panatta who see in him a generational talent capable of rewriting tennis history—if only he can stay on the court.