In a blow to local fans and tournament organizers, Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the 2025 Madrid Open due to persistent leg injuries. The third-ranked player in the world cited a lingering upper leg issue sustained during the Barcelona Open final, as well as a separate injury to his left leg.
The 21-year-old, who was set to make his first appearance at the Caja Mágica this Saturday, had not yet practiced in Madrid and was awaiting medical test results earlier this week. Despite initially saying he felt “fine,” Alcaraz ultimately decided not to compete, prioritizing recovery ahead of the French Open.
A two-time Madrid Open champion (2022 and 2023), Alcaraz entered this year’s tournament as the second seed and was expected to face stiff competition in the same half of the draw as Novak Djokovic. His absence leaves a significant gap in the field, especially for home supporters who had eagerly awaited his return to the Spanish capital.
Alcaraz’s injury concerns first surfaced during his straight-set loss to Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final, where he required on-court treatment. He also raised concerns about the demanding schedule on tour, stating he had “so many matches and so few days to rest.”
Despite the setback, Alcaraz expressed optimism about his fitness ahead of the French Open next month, where he is the defending champion. He won the 2024 Roland Garros title against Alexander Zverev, who recently overtook him in the ATP rankings after clinching the title in Munich.
So far this season, Alcaraz has posted a 24-5 win-loss record, with titles in Monte Carlo on clay and in Rotterdam on hard court. His withdrawal from Madrid brings his impressive nine-match winning streak to an end and raises questions about his form heading into the next Grand Slam.