Carlos Alcaraz Gives Injury Update Before Madrid Open
World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz is under the microscope of injury issues once again. This time, the timing couldn’t be more inappropriate as his favorite Masters 1000 event, the Madrid Open, is around the corner. The Spaniard is a two-time champion at the event, winning the titles in 2022 and 2023, respectively. However, he is wary of his condition before deciding on his Madrid fate.
Alcaraz believes that he needs to be patient with his physical fitness, with Madrid lurking around the corner. As the tournament has already announced its seedings and the draw, Alcaraz will decide at the last minute. The Spaniard was supposed to be one of the favorites for the tournament, as he has started the clay swing with a Monte Carlo title followed by a Barcelona Open final.
The Situation Around Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz got injured during the Barcelona Open final against Holger Rune. The Spaniard got off to a great start but eventually lost his way and then the first set on the tiebreak. Shortly after the first set, the former World No. 1 was attended by the medical panel as they took him away from the court for further treatment. When he came back, his body looked hampered as he lost 7-6, 6-2 in his third Barcelona Open final.
“I feel fine physically. I’ve had tests, and we’ll see what the results say. I’m used to playing with discomfort, so let’s hope I can play and enjoy Madrid.” Carlos Alcaraz said, as per the reports from Yahoo Sports. The Spaniard has had plenty of injury issues since the start of last season’s clay swing. His elbow injury hampered the entirety of his 2024 clay season. However, he recovered in time to win his first Roland Garros title.
What Are The Storylines At Madrid?
Alcaraz has received much attention due to his injury problems. However, his MRI is not the only storyline developing at the Madrid Open. The Spaniard is in a huge battle for the World No. 2 ranking against Alexander Zverev. Alcaraz briefly took the ranking away from the German after winning the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters.
However, the Spaniard lost in the Barcelona Open final to dent his No.2 ranking hopes. Moreover, Zverev winning the Munich Open title ensured that the two-time ATP Finals champion wrestled the No. 2 ranking back. Considering both players have very few points to defend at Madrid this year, the battle for the World No. 2 could heat up even further in the coming weeks.
The World No. 2 ranking is very important regarding the draw at Roland Garros. A guarantee of this ranking would mean the avoidance of Jannik Sinner at least until the finals. However, the world would be looking forward to seeing whether the Italian has maintained the sharpness that has made him an unbeatable force on the ATP tour before his suspension. Sinner would hope to avoid Alcaraz, given that the duo met thrice on the ATP tour last season and the Spaniard won all their encounters.
Final Thoughts
Alcaraz is running out of time to be fit for the Madrid Open. This season, he has a huge chance to make crucial points before his title defenses at Garros and Wimbledon. However, he must also be wary of his physical fitness rather than the ranking points if he wants to maintain high standards.
The Spaniard has played 10 matches in 12 days, stretching from Monte Carlo to Barcelona. He has been critical of the ATP Tour’s lack of flexibility regarding tennis scheduling. Hence, if he needs to take a break from tennis, the Madrid Open could be the tournament for that. However, he must also ensure he doesn’t get rusty ahead of Garros.
