Novak Djokovic hopes the Madrid Open will be interesting after Carlos Alcaraz withdrawal due to an injury

Carlos Alcaraz suffered discomfort in the adductor of his right leg while playing against Holger Rune in Barcelona.

Novak Djokovic hopes the Madrid Open will be interesting after Carlos Alcaraz withdrawal due to an injury

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic (via X)

Carlos Alcaraz was forced to withdraw from the Madrid Open despite doing everything he could to compete at the WTA 1000 tournament. The Spaniard’s withdrawal has handed a huge blow to the tournament. He was the home favorite to win the title as well. However, Novak Djokovic believes that the remaining players in the draw can still make the tournament interesting for the fans.

Last year, the Madrid Open attracted fans from all over the world due to Rafael Nadal’s influence as it was his first major clay tournament of the season. The Spaniard had a good run winning three matches before exiting in the Round of 16. Djokovic was a huge absence while Alcaraz lost to Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals and Jannik Sinner withdrew from the event in the last eight.

In this season’s edition, Sinner is currently not available as it is under suspension, while Alcaraz has withdrawn. The Spaniard’s problems began in Barcelona when he felt discomfort in the adductor of his right leg during the championship match against Holger Rune. Although he traveled to Madrid to compete, the worrying MRI and medical test results forced him out of the tournament.

The 21-year-old absence comes when he has begun to enjoy the clay season and had reached two finals in less than ten days. Djokovic sympathized with the World No.3 during his press conference adding that he hoped he and the other players would make the event interesting and exciting for the crowd and fans.

Carlos is the number one star here, with the Spanish public, but he won Monte Carlo, then played two days later in Barcelona, another final. Physically, I’ve heard he’s having problems, but I hope all of us can give the public a good feeling without Alcaraz.

Novak Djokovic said via Madrid Open Pres

Alcaraz has a had frenetic schedule in the past few weeks on tour. The 21-year-old played 10 matches in 12 days, starting from the Monte Carlo Masters, which he won for the first time in his career to the Barcelona Open, where he got to the final.

Carlos Alcaraz gives reasons for his withdrawal from the Madrid Open

Carlos Alcaraz leaves the Madrid Open disappointed that he wouldn’t compete at the tournament. It’s the second successive season that the Spaniard will have to deal with an injury. Last year, it was an arm injury, this time around it an abductor injury and hamstring. He revealed during his press conference that he had to listen to his body and withdraw from the tournament.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (via X)

I have done everything possible, but these days things did not improve much. You have to listen to the body. If I played, I would probably be screwed for a longer time than I should be. You have to listen to the body and make difficult decisions. I have made the right decision. I will try to rest and be back on the court as soon as possible.

Carlos Alcaraz said

Alcaraz will hope to come back before the Italian Open, but that is unlikely as it may take longer before he gets fully fit. Hopefully, he will be able to compete at the French Open and defend his title.

Carlos Alcaraz to drop substantial points after Madrid withdraw

Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal from the Madrid Open will see him drop 200 ranking points, meaning he will lose further ground to Alexander Zverev in the battle for second place in the ATP rankings. The French Open champion had returned the World No.2 after winning the Monte Carlo Masters but dropped to No.3 after Zverev claimed the BMW Open in Munich.

Carlos Alcaraz (2)
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

This also means that Jannik Sinner will comfortably remain in the World No.1 position with 9,730 points, while Zverev seats in second place with 7,995, and Alcaraz in third with 7,860 (before withdrawing from Madrid). The German star now has the chance to earn more points with a deep run in Madrid or a possible title victory.

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