Carlos Alcaraz takes indirect dig at hectic schedule after suffering injury in Barcelona final

World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz has so far participated in seven tournaments, winning two: the Rotterdam Open and the Monte Carlo Masters.

Carlos Alcaraz takes indirect dig at hectic schedule after suffering injury in Barcelona final

Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/We Are Tennis)

Carlos Alcaraz injured his right adductor muscle during his final match of the Barcelona Open against Holger Rune. He’s in Madrid, gearing up for the second ATP Masters 1000 of the season on clay.

In the Spanish capital on Monday (April 22), the Laureus World Sports Award was held. Alcaraz was nominated for the Sportsman of the Year Award but he lost the title to pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis.

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Ahead of the award ceremony, Alcaraz gave an update about his injury to Teledeporte. Although this time he didn’t complain about the schedule, he did imply that continuous playing without rest and recovery perhaps was the reason behind his niggle.

To tell the truth, I’m fine. Honestly, nothing out of the ordinary, I think. After two weeks with 10 matches in 12 days, including travel without much time for recovery, I believe that eventually, the body starts giving you small warnings, right? I believe and trust that it’s not going to be anything serious.

Carlos Alcaraz said

The qualifying rounds of the Madrid Open are underway at Caja Magica, while the main draw events are scheduled to start on April 23. Alcaraz, who received a first-round bye, will kick start his campaign on April 26 against the winner of the first-round match between Zizou Bergs and Yoshihito Nishioka. He will be chasing his third trophy of the season following the Rotterdam Open and the Monte Carlo Masters, both of which he lifted for the first time in his career.

Novak Djokovic lauds Carlos Alcaraz ahead of potential semifinal clash in Madrid

Novak Djokovic also attended the Laureus Sports Awards along with several other tennis stars. Last year, he won the Sportsman of the Year Award following his impressive 2023 season which saw him lift seven titles, including the Australian Open, French Open, and the US Open. He fell short of the Calendar Grand Slam as Carlos Alcaraz secured a five-set victory over him in the Wimbledon final.

Novak Djokovic Monte Carlo Masters 2025
Novak Djokovic (via Instagram/Rolex Monte Carlo Masters)

This year, however, his name was not on the nomination list as the Serb had a mediocre season last year, winning just his Olympic gold medal. Ahead of the ceremony, Djokovic lauded Alcaraz’s personality.

Always nice, a very good person with great values. A family, Juan Carlos Ferrero, the whole team, good people. This is more important than anything else. Obviously, he is an extraordinary champion, very young, he already has many title successes. But as a person, with a smile, always with a smile, I like this a lot.

Novak Djokovic told Teledeporte

Last month, the 24-time Grand Slam champion reached his first final of the season at the Miami Open, losing the match to Jakub Mensik who became an ATP champion for the first time in his career. He started his campaign on the clay swing at the Monte Carlo Masters but lost his first match.

Nole is now gearing up for the Madrid Open to bid for his fourth title. He will be making his first appearance in the tournament in three years. Djokovic could meet Alcaraz if both of them reach the semifinals.

The 37-year-old is 5-3 against the youngster in the head-to-record. If they meet in the semifinals, then it will be their first encounter since the 2024 Paris Olympics final which Djokovic won in straight sets.

Djokovic received a bye in Madrid and will lock horns with Matteo Arnaldi or a qualifier to kick-start his campaign in his bid for his 100th ATP title. He won the Madrid Open in 2011, 2016 and 2019. If he wins the Madrid Open this year, he will become the third player after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer to reach the 100-title mark.