Sept 8, 2023; Flushing, NY, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain after losing to Daniil Medvedev in a menÕs singles semifinal on day twelve of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

tennis

“Have to Hear Your Body Sometimes”: Carlos Alcaraz Provides Big Injury Update at Madrid Open 2025

Alcaraz is the defending champion at Roland Garros 2025.

No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz has dished out a massive update on his fitness at the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open. Just weeks before defending his Roland Garros title, the Spaniard suffered an injury at the recently concluded Barcelona Open. Having lost in the final at the Catalonian capital, ‘Carlitos’ has raised questions about his potential participation at the showpiece clay court event.

Touted to win the title in the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz was totally outplayed by Holger Rune in the final. Alcaraz, who has won two titles and reached a final in 2025, is in a tight battle with Alexander Zverev to see who challenges Jannik Sinner for the ATP’s top spot. However, he has now hit a major roadblock which leaves his immediate future slightly murky.

Barcelona Open Injury Forces Carlos Alcaraz Out of Madrid Masters

In a disappointing decision for fans, Alcaraz has opted out of this week’s Mutua Madrid Open. The Masters-1000 event is one of the biggest tournaments of the year, and Carlos is a two-time champion. However, an abductor injury sustained during his finals loss to Rune means that the 21-year-old cannot compete at the second clay court Masters event of the season.

Our two-time champion @carlosalcaraz announced on Thursday that he is unable to play the 2025 #MMOPEN due to an injury.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, we hope to see you back here next year! 😘 pic.twitter.com/obf8e8ocPr
— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) April 24, 2025

During his final against Danish star Holger Rune, Alcaraz reportedly felt something in his left hamstring. Although he started and finished okay, the pain only aggravated in the days to come. While the former World No. 1 admitted that he desperately wanted to compete in Madrid and vie for his third championship at La Caja Magica, the acceptance that his body couldn’t take it donned upon him very soon.

‘Really Disappointed’: Alcaraz

Alcaraz was slotted in the same half as No. 4 seed Novak Djokovic, former Madrid runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas and reigning Indian Wells champion Jack Draper. Speaking to the media after the announcement of his withdrawal, Spain’s one and only got candid and honest. “I’m really disappointed I’m not able to play in Madrid. It’s a place I really love playing in front of my people, my family, my friends,” he said.

“Tennis is a really demanding sport. Playing week after week, so many matches in a row, you have to hear your body sometimes and take difficult decisions. But I will come back stronger and come back with a lot of power for the next tournaments.” Alcaraz was in Madrid to promote his newly released Netflix documentary – ‘Carlos Alcaraz: My Way’.

Following his decision, Alcaraz stated that he hopes to be back in time for the Rome Masters. If not, he will directly head to Roland Garros. With time running out, the waiting game has well and truly begun.

ATP

ATP Masters 1000

Barcelona Open

Carlos Alcaraz

Holger Rune

Jannik Sinner

Madrid Open

Tennis

Sankalp Harikrishnan

A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.