In the bustling heart of Madrid, the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open took an unexpected turn when Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 3 and two-time champion, withdrew from the tournament on April 24, citing a right adductor muscle injury sustained during the Barcelona Open final. For Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak, ranked 90th in the ATP standings, Alcaraz’s misfortune became a golden opportunity—a second chance to compete on one of tennis’s grandest stages. In a heartfelt moment that captured the spirit of sportsmanship, Majchrzak expressed profound gratitude to the Spanish star, whose withdrawal handed him a spot in the main draw as a lucky loser.
Majchrzak’s journey to the Madrid Open was far from straightforward. The 29-year-old from Piotrków Trybunalski had battled through the qualifying rounds, only to fall in a grueling three-setter against Denmark’s Elmer Moller, 7-5, 4-6, 4-6. The defeat left him as the second-highest-ranked player on the waiting list for the main draw, his hopes of competing in the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event hanging by a thread. “It’s tough to lose like that, but you keep fighting, you keep hoping,” Majchrzak had said after his qualifying loss, a reflection of the resilience that has defined his career. That hope was rewarded when Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka withdrew, moving Majchrzak to the top of the lucky loser queue, and Alcaraz’s subsequent withdrawal sealed his entry.
Alcaraz, who had electrified fans with a Monte Carlo Masters title and a runner-up finish in Barcelona, announced his decision at a press conference in Madrid, his voice heavy with disappointment. “I did everything possible to be able to play … But I wasn’t able to improve things enough,” he said, explaining that the adductor injury, compounded by a left hamstring issue from Barcelona, forced him to prioritize recovery for the upcoming Italian Open and Roland Garros. “We took the decision not to take risks for the future,” he added, a choice that inadvertently opened the door for Majchrzak.
For Majchrzak, the opportunity was a poignant milestone. His career has been a rollercoaster, marked by a 12-month suspension in 2022 after testing positive for minimal traces of a banned substance, which he successfully argued was due to a contaminated isotonic drink. Since returning, he has clawed his way back, winning the ATP Challenger in Villena in 2024 and reaching the Madrid Challenger final earlier in 2025, where he defeated Marin Cilic 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. “All tennis players sacrifice a lot, but the parents and those around them also sacrifice the same amount of time, of passion, of everything,” Majchrzak once told ATPTour.com, crediting his family’s unwavering support. His entry into Madrid, his first Masters 1000 main draw appearance since March 2022, felt like a reward for that perseverance.
In the second round, Majchrzak faced Canada’s Gabriel Diallo, ranked 78th and another lucky loser who replaced Nishioka. Diallo had cruised past Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 6-1, 6-2 in the first round, setting up an unprecedented clash of fortunate underdogs. “Kamil Majchrzak replaces Carlos Alcaraz,” buzzed posts on X, noting the irony that Majchrzak had withdrawn from a concurrent Challenger event in Ostrava, citing injury, only to seize this bigger stage. The matchup, scheduled for April 26, promised a chance for Majchrzak to capitalize on his unexpected lifeline and advance to the third round, a feat that could propel him back into the ATP top 100.
Majchrzak’s gratitude toward Alcaraz was palpable. While he didn’t wish injury on his rival, he acknowledged the bittersweet nature of his opportunity. “I’m very grateful for this chance,” he said in a post-match interview, his voice thick with emotion. “Carlos is an incredible player, and I wish him a speedy recovery.” For Alcaraz, the withdrawal was a blow, especially in a tournament where he thrives in front of his home crowd. “I love playing in front of my people, in front of my family, my friends,” he had said, underscoring the emotional weight of his absence.
As Majchrzak prepared to face Diallo, the tennis world watched with intrigue. His journey—from a doping scandal to a triumphant return, now capped by this serendipitous Madrid entry—embodied the unpredictability of the sport. For a player who once pushed Kei Nishikori to five sets at the 2019 Australian Open, this was more than a second chance; it was a stage to prove he belongs among the elite. With Alcaraz’s shadow looming, Majchrzak stepped into the spotlight, ready to write the next chapter of his improbable comeback.