It is now official, Carlos Alcaraz will not play in the Mutua Madrid Open this year due to his physical problems. After the first reports, it was Alcaraz himself who confirmed it in a press conference from the Caja Magica. “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,” Alcaraz explained to a packed press room.
You had to listen to your body and make tough decisions. I’ve made the right decision
“As I think you all suspected, because I couldn’t train these days… in the final in Barcelona you all saw that the physio came in to treat my right adductor, but I also noticed something else in the left hamstring. On Tuesday I had some tests, I was waiting and evaluating my team, with the doctors… to see if I was going to be able to arrive in good condition to play in Madrid. I’ve done everything possible, but these days it hasn’t improved much.
You have to listen to your body. Although Madrid is a city that I look forward to all year round to be able to play, it’s a very exciting tournament… things didn’t go the way I wanted them to be able to play here. We have made the decision not to take risks for the future. If I played, maybe I would be screwed for longer than I should be. We had to listen to the body and make difficult decisions. I’ve made the right decision. I’ll try to rest and be back on court as soon as possible,” was his complete and initial speech to the media, before receiving questions.
I will try to rest and be back on the slopes as soon as possible
The problems come from Barcelona, when he felt discomfort in the adductor of his right leg during the final that he ended up losing at the Godo against Holger Rune. And although the Spaniard traveled to Madrid and has been in numerous events in the run-up to the tournament, the MRI and medical tests have been clear: he will not be able to compete in the Mutua Madrid Open
The schedule has been frenetic for Alcaraz to the point of having played 10 matches in 12 days. Everything since the start of the Monte Carlo Masters 1000, which he won for the first time in his career… and which reached the final of the Conde de Godo previously mentioned
He will be at Roland Garros
In addition, he updated his future presence at Roland Garros: “On Monday I will have another test to see how it has evolved this week, and from there we will see the times. We will assess how the next few days, the next few weeks, how my body is. I think we will be sure (at Roland Garros), we will try to be in Rome. That is the goal”.
I think we’ll be safe (at Roland Garros), we’ll try to be in Rome
In fact, Alcaraz stressed how important it was to value “the risk and the benefit” of having played in this tournament. Thinking about the next Grand Slam (Roland Garros will start on May 25), was fundamental in Alcaraz’s decision. “I always do my best to get to these dates in the best possible way, so that they can enjoy my tennis and I can also enjoy their love and energy. It sucks not to be able to make them enjoy this year,” was the message he wanted to send to the fans who will not be able to see him at the Mutua.
“I’m less worried than last year with the forearm injury. I’ve had this injury before, I’m less worried. Hopefully it will be like last year. What I am clear about is that we are going to recover this as soon as possible,” he also added.“
I’m less worried than last year with the forearm injury
In a complicated situation like the one Carlos is experiencing, the Spaniard wanted to be optimistic: “You have to accept things as they come. I’m learning, I learn to deal with things much better. I try to see the positive things even if it’s difficult. I consider myself a person who comes back stronger from injuries. I come back more excited than ever… and that’s what I have to keep in mind”.
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