Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the upcoming Mutua Madrid Open on Friday. The second Masters 1000 tournament of the clay-court swing will be missing Novak Djokovic, as well, after the 38-year-old Serb emphasized the need for additional recovery. Djokovic has not played since the Indian Wells Masters because of a shoulder injury.
Alcaraz advanced one round at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell but then withdrew because of a wrist problem.
“From today’s tests, it’s a slightly more serious injury than we all expected,” the second-ranked Spaniard said during a press conference on Wednesday. “And, honestly, I need to listen to my body, to do what’s best for me, so it doesn’t impact me in the future.”
Alcaraz posted the following on social media to announced his exit from Madrid: “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 ❤️”.
This season has gone downhill for the 22-year-old since it began in triumphant fashion with his first Australian Open title to complete the career Grand Slam. He failed to reach the final in either Indian Wells or Miami and then lost to Jannik Sinner in the Monte-Carlo championship match. Sinner regained the No. 1 ranking as a result of his success in the principality.
Neither Alcaraz nor Sinner played in Madrid last year, so the former won’t lose any points and the latter can only add to his haul.