Alcaraz forced out of Madrid Masters with wrist injury

MADRID, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Spanish tennis ace Carlos Alcaraz announced on Friday that he will not play in the forthcoming Madrid Masters 1000 tournament due to a wrist injury.

The 22-year-old seven-time Grand Slam winner, who is currently ranked number two in the world, injured his right wrist in the opening match at the Barcelona Open on Tuesday, forcing him to withdraw from that tournament.

He explained on social media that the injury was "a little more serious than we expected," and that he will also miss the Madrid tournament, which starts on April 22nd.

It is the second year running that Alcaraz has been forced to withdraw from the Madrid Masters after suffering a hamstring injury while playing in Barcelona in 2025.

"There is some news that is incredibly difficult to deliver. Madrid is home, and 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," wrote Alcaraz.

"It hurts especially not to be able to be in front of my people, in a tournament that is so special. Thank you for your continued support, and I hope to see you soon," he added.

Alcaraz has won twice in Madrid in 2022 and 2023, while he lost in the quarterfinals in 2024, suffering from a muscle strain in his right forearm. ■