Courtesy: Google
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn his name from the Madrid Open after suffering multiple injuries during the final of the Barcelona Open last weekend, in which he ended up losing to Denmark’s Holger Rune in straight sets. The 21-year-old injured his hamstring and groin during the second set of the Barcelona Open final this past Sunday, and he lost the match in front of his home fans with a scoreline of 7-6 (8-6) 6-2.
As the two-time Madrid Open champion, Carlos Alcaraz felt gutted about missing out on playing in front of his home fans once again during the clay court season. After winning the Monte Carlo Masters earlier this month, and reaching the final of Barcelona Open, the Spaniard has shown great form on clay ahead of the French Open, but his status for the second Grand Slam of the year is now in some doubt.
In a week or two I shall return to training, but I will take it step by step: Carlos Alcaraz
In one of his latest interviews, Carlos Alcaraz was quoted as saying about his recent injury, as per BBC Sport, “In a week or two I shall return to training, but I will take it step by step. I couldn't practice the entire week. I needed to listen to my body and make the right decision. I don't want to get too far ahead but I hope I shall be ready for the French Open.”
While Carlos Alcaraz has shown his intention to make it to the Italian Open, set to begin on May 6 in Rome, but he might not play at the event. If the Spaniard isn’t able to compete before the French Open, which will begin in just one months’ time on May 25, he remains confident about doing well at the second Grand Slam of the year, on the basis of his current performances during the clay court season, and winning the event last year.
“The tennis that I've played in the past few weeks has been great. Mentally I think I'm strong to play good tennis again, so this is not going to take my confidence away. If I don't play Rome, or if I don't play any tournaments before Roland Garros, I don't care about it. I know what is my level, I know what I have to do to play good tennis,” he added.
