What's happened
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Madrid Open due to injuries sustained during the Barcelona Open final. The world number three confirmed he has hamstring and groin issues, impacting his ability to compete. Despite this setback, he remains optimistic about his recovery ahead of the French Open.
What's behind the headline?
Injury Impact on Alcaraz's Season
- Alcaraz's withdrawal from the Madrid Open raises concerns about his fitness ahead of the French Open, where he is the defending champion.
- His optimistic outlook, stating he believes the injury will heal within one to two weeks, suggests he is focused on recovery rather than rushing back.
- The timing of his injuries, occurring after a strong start to the clay season, could affect his momentum and preparation for Roland Garros.
Future Implications
- If Alcaraz can recover quickly, he may still be a strong contender at the French Open, but any lingering issues could hinder his performance.
- The pressure of being a top seed and defending champion adds to the stakes as he navigates his recovery.
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Alcaraz expressed confidence about his recovery, stating, "I believe it’s going to take one week, one week and a half, two weeks maximum." This contrasts with AP News, which highlighted the severity of his injuries, noting he had not practiced in Madrid and was awaiting medical test results. The Japan Times reported on his decision to withdraw, emphasizing his need to listen to his body after the Barcelona final. These varying perspectives illustrate the uncertainty surrounding his condition and the implications for his upcoming tournaments.
How we got here
Alcaraz's injury concerns arose after his defeat to Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final, where he experienced discomfort in his right adductor and later discovered hamstring issues in his left leg. This follows a successful start to his clay season with a title in Monte Carlo.
Go deeper
- What are the details of Alcaraz's injuries?
- How might this affect his performance at the French Open?
- What has Alcaraz said about his recovery?
More on these topics
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Carlos Alcaraz Garfia is a Spanish professional tennis player. Alcaraz has a career high ATP singles ranking of World No. 75 achieved on 21 June 2021.
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Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southwestern Europe with some pockets of territory across the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean. Its continental European territory is situated on the Iberian Peninsula.
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There are three sporting events known as the Madrid Open:
Madrid Open (golf), a men's golf tournament played from 1968 to 2007, except 1994–2000
WTA Madrid Open (tennis), a women's tennis event played from 1996 to 2003
Madrid Open (tennis), a current..
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The French Open, also called Roland-Garros, is a major tennis tournament held over two weeks at the Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, France, beginning in late May each year. The venue is named after the French aviator Roland Garros.
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Barcelona Open is the name of two separate sporting events:
Barcelona Open (golf)
Barcelona Open (tennis)