Carlos Alcaraz will not play the Madrid Open this year, and the reason is tough for him to accept. The Spanish star shared on Friday that a wrist injury has ruled him out of the tournament, which starts on April 20. This is one event he always looks forward to, especially because it is played at home in Spain. Missing it again has clearly hit him hard.He posted an emotional message on X, where he explained how much this moment means to him. For Alcaraz, Madrid is not just another stop on the tour. It is personal. It is where he feels the strongest connection with fans. That is why stepping away now, just days before the event, feels painful.
Carlos Alcaraz explains Madrid Open withdrawal and opens up about injury and online pressure
Carlos Alcaraz had been trying to stay on track during the clay season. After a mixed run in recent tournaments, he wanted to bounce back strong. He lost to Jannik Sinner in the Monte-Carlo Masters final, which also cost him the World No. 1 spot. Still, he moved forward and entered the Barcelona Open to rebuild momentum.But things changed quickly. During his opening match in Barcelona, he picked up a right wrist problem. Even though he managed to win that match, the discomfort did not go away. He later had tests, and the results forced him to make a difficult call. He pulled out of his Round of 16 match and then decided to skip Madrid as well.In his message, Carlos Alcaraz wrote, “There are some news that’s incredibly difficult to deliver. Madrid is home, one of the most special places on the calendar for me, and that’s why it hurts so much not to be able to play here for the second year in a row. It hurts especially not to be able to be in front of my people, in a tournament that’s so special. Thank you for your continued support, and I hope to see you soon.”Around the same time, Novak Djokovic also confirmed he would miss the Madrid Open due to injury, which added to the list of big names absent from the tournament.Away from injuries, Alcaraz also spoke honestly about the mental side of the game. After a few losses this season, he received heavy criticism online. He admitted those comments affected him more than he expected. He said, “Perhaps I spend more time on social media than I should, and things affect me. Everyone is human, and certain comments make you doubt what you’re capable of; certain defeats make you wonder if you’re good enough.” For now, his focus is on recovery. If things go well, he is expected to return at the Rome Masters next month.
