“Why is he Playing” – Fans Slam Carlos Alcaraz After he Sustains an Injury at the Barcelona Open

Carlos Alcaraz made fans on social media scared during his opening match at the Barcelona Open on Tuesday (April 14). The Spaniard was back on the clay court just less than 48 hours after the Monte Carlo Masters, where he lost to his arch-rival Jannik Sinner in the final in straight sets.

Alcaraz has thousands of points to defend this clay season, which will force him not to have a long rest like other players on tour. Also, he’s seeking to reclaim the World No.1 spot, which he lost after falling to Sinner in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters. Should he win the Barcelona Open, he will be able to get back to the top of the ATP rankings.

Additionally, Sinner has hinted that he might not play the Madrid Open, which gives Alcaraz a chance to win points in Barcelona and then at the Madrid Open, making a comfortable lead ahead of the Italian Open next month. However, Alcaraz took to the court at Barcelona against Finland’s Otto Virtanen.

The 22-year-old began the match with his blistering run on the baseline, while Virtanen tried to contain the pressure. Just minutes into the match, Alcaraz hit a clean forehand shot that went past Virtanen. But after hitting it, he touched his right arm and then continued, which led to him breaking the Finland star.

After taking the lead 5-4, he called for a medical timeout. The physio came to him and was seen massaging his right wrist. He didn’t look as though it hurt him, but he might have felt a twist there that made him call for a medical timeout. Play resumed after he returned to his baseline. He won the game and claimed the set 6-4.

In the second set, Alcaraz almost sealed the match as he was in total control of the game, dominating Virtanen and pushing him deep into his baseline. He broke the Finnish star twice in the second set to win the match 6-4, 6-2, securing a smooth victory in the end. However, fans were worried about the injury scare in the first round of the match. Here are some fans’ reactions:

He deserves more rest..why is he even playing these match ????

— Zaye (@heis_zaaye) April 14, 2026

I don't get why he is playing in Barcelona if there is any issue

Honestly makes no sense

— Kristina (@chrissy_m97) April 14, 2026

and still this bum won't retire https://t.co/aq6D0LCKSE

— 💌 rotbg • c.a (@darkerromantic) April 14, 2026

he didnt even need to play this one https://t.co/T7KxypRr9K pic.twitter.com/l190SZBBXv

— mar⋆˙⟡♡ (@m6rwaa) April 14, 2026

I don’t care if he won the tennis match he needs to rest and drop out of the tournament. https://t.co/rjn2Bh5aiY

— 🤍LISA🤍 (@checkthetea) April 14, 2026

no carlos please rest please go home please. i need u ready to defend all these points coming up https://t.co/ujTV4RjN8d

— ava (@arsenal_wfc5) April 14, 2026

ele eh doido mds pq ele n tá descansando um pouco https://t.co/T9LpKHez6F

— 🦒 (@sinnercedes) April 14, 2026

Alcaraz is struggling with a hand injury. I think he is only playing because it is Barcelona. #BarcelonaOpen

— tega onojaife (@tegasupreme) April 14, 2026

He should’ve skipped Barca

— tennismenace (@tmtennisx) April 14, 2026

Alcaraz will have to take a lot of caution at the Barcelona Open. He will have to make sure that he’s matched doesn’t get past two sets in the tournament, which will give him more time to rest ahead of the next match and recover well. He will face Tomas Machac in the next round of the Barcelona Open.

Carlos Alcaraz gives his take on the injury scare in Barcelona

Carlos Alcaraz is playing at the Barcelona Open not because of the 330 points he has to defend but because of his love for the tournament. He won the ATP 500 event twice in his career and reached the final last season despite suffering an injury. The last time he missed the tournament was in 2024, and that was due to an injury.

He lost to Holger Rune in the final last season after just winning the Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco. During his post-match press conference in Barcelona, he was asked about his injury scare in the first set. The Spaniard revealed that he hopes the scare is nothing serious as he aims to continue playing at the event:

This week is when I should have been resting, but Barcelona is a very special place for me. I had my first training session this morning and immediately went out to compete. Little things keep popping up in my body; my team and I will see what’s wrong. I hope it’s nothing serious. I’ve felt this way before, but it never got any worse; it’s never led to anything major.

According to Marca, Alcaraz didn’t train on Wednesday morning (April 15) ahead of his match on Thursday (April 16). He was meant to train from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm in Barcelona, but he canceled it after his medical team had advised him to take precautions. However, he’s expected to train before his match against Tomas Machac.

Also Read: Joao Fonseca Reflects on Unique Conditions in Munich – “My Hands Were Freezing”