Carlos Alcaraz has officially announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Mutua Madrid Open, a significant event in the ATP calendar and one of the key tournaments during the clay-court season. This decision comes on the heels of another high-profile absence; Novak Djokovic, the 38-year-old Serbian tennis star, has also chosen to skip the tournament, citing the need for extra recovery time following a shoulder injury. Djokovic’s last appearance on the court was at the Indian Wells Masters, where he was forced to retire.
Alcaraz initially advanced one round at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell but soon after encountered a wrist issue that prompted him to step back from competition. At a recent press conference, the 22-year-old Spaniard expressed his concern regarding the severity of his injury, stating, “From today’s tests, it’s a slightly more serious injury than we all expected. Honestly, I need to listen to my body and do what’s best for me to avoid future complications.”
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Alcaraz conveyed his disappointment about missing out on Madrid, referring to the tournament as his home and highlighting its significance in his career. He added, “There are some news that are incredibly hard to share. Madrid is home, one of the most special places on my calendar, and that’s why it hurts so much not to be able to play here for the second year in a row. It hurts especially not to be in front of my people, in a tournament that means so much. Thank you for the unwavering affection, and I hope we see each other soon.”
The season has been a tumultuous one for Alcaraz, who began with a brilliant victory at the Australian Open, completing his career Grand Slam. However, he has faced challenges in subsequent tournaments, failing to reach the finals in both Indian Wells and Miami, and losing to Jannik Sinner in the final at Monte-Carlo. Sinner’s victory allowed him to reclaim the No. 1 ranking, creating additional pressure on Alcaraz.
Interestingly, both players skipped the Madrid Open last year, meaning that Alcaraz will not lose any ranking points due to his withdrawal, while Sinner has the opportunity to further enhance his standing in the ATP rankings with a strong performance at the tournament. As the tennis world looks forward to Madrid, the absences of these top players will undoubtedly have an impact on the competition, shifting focus to other contenders in the draw.
