Carlos Alcaraz is optimistic about competing in this week’s Madrid Masters, despite a recent injury scare during the Barcelona Open final. The 21-year-old Spaniard struggled with discomfort in his right abductor muscle during his straight-sets loss to Holger Rune, 7-6, 6-2.
Alcaraz, who played ten matches across just 12 days in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, pushed his body to the limit. While he claimed the title in Monte Carlo, his bid for a third Barcelona crown fell short. After the final, Carlos took a few days off and began working with his physiotherapist, undergoing further evaluation on Tuesday to determine his fitness ahead of Madrid.
A Grueling Run Catches Up
Alcaraz looked strong early in the Barcelona final, earning a break in the first set, but Rune quickly responded. The two traded blows in a tightly contested set, which Rune eventually clinched in a tiebreak. Alcaraz began showing visible signs of physical distress in the second set, calling for a medical timeout after going down a break.
Despite trying to fight through the pain, Alcaraz couldn’t recover. Rune capitalized, breaking again and closing out the match in dominant fashion to claim his first ATP title in two years.
Rune’s Resurgence and Tactical Edge
The Barcelona final marked the fourth career meeting between Alcaraz and Rune—and their first in a title match. Rune outplayed the World No. 2, saving four of five break points while converting three of his own. Alcaraz, meanwhile, racked up over 30 unforced errors, many coming from his usually reliable forehand.
Rune’s aggressive court positioning and composure helped him dominate baseline exchanges and finish points efficiently. He secured the second set with a clean service hold, ending the match after just over 90 minutes.
Alcaraz Remains Positive
Despite the setback, Alcaraz remains in good spirits.
“Honestly, I’m fine. It’s nothing extraordinary,” he said. “After two weeks of intense competition and traveling, my body gave me a small warning. I don’t think it’s anything serious.”
The young star added that initial work with his physio showed encouraging signs.
“I’ll have more tests on Tuesday, but I’m feeling positive. I think everything will be okay for my first match [in Madrid].”
As one of the home favorites at the Madrid Masters, Alcaraz is hopeful his recovery stays on track, allowing him to continue his strong clay season.
