Spanish tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz has made the decision to withdraw from the forthcoming Italian Open due to an arm injury sustained during the Madrid Open, where he was defeated by Andrey Rublev, who has subsequently progressed to the final in Madrid.
Alcaraz, who had been vying for a third consecutive Madrid Open title, was vanquished by Rublev in the quarter-finals after a hard-fought contest that culminated in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 loss. The two-time grand slam champion, visibly fatigued, will now forgo the ATP 1000 Masters event in Rome, prioritising recovery from his injury.
In a statement, Alcaraz conveyed his disappointment, stating, “I experienced discomfort and pain in my arm after competing in Madrid. Following a series of tests today, I have been diagnosed with muscle edema in the pronator teres, a repercussion of my previous injury. Regrettably, I will not be able to participate in Rome. I require rest in order to recuperate and return to the court free from pain.”
With the French Open imminent, Alcaraz faces a race against time to regain full fitness in order to partake in the esteemed tournament, slated to commence on May 20.
Meanwhile, Rublev, who had entered the Madrid Open amidst a four-match losing streak, is now primed for the final after a commanding triumph over Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals. His adversary will be Felix Auger Aliassime, who advanced to the final following a walkover after his opponent, Jiri Lehecka, exited the competition due to injury.
The Canadian tennis player’s campaign in Madrid has been characterised by considerable fortune, with three of his matches culminating in retirement or walkover, making him the first player since 1990 to progress through three rounds in an ATP Masters event in this manner.
As the climactic showdown in Madrid approaches, tennis enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the clash between Rublev and Auger Aliassime, with the former seeking redemption after a series of setbacks, and the latter aiming to capitalise on his stroke of luck in the tournament.
The non-participation of Alcaraz in the upcoming Italian Open and the capricious nature of the matches in Madrid have introduced an intriguing element to the tennis arena, setting the stage for a captivating battle in the ATP circuit.