Alcaraz blames 'demanding sport' for Madrid withdrawal but should be fit for French Open
tennis
By TALES AZZONI
Home-crowd favorite Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Madrid Open on Thursday because of muscle injuries, saying he didn't want to risk making things worse before the French Open.
The third-ranked Spaniard blamed his injuries on the 'really tight" schedule that is part of the 'demanding sport' of tennis.
Alcaraz said he has not fully recovered from the upper leg ailment that bothered him during the Barcelona Open final last Sunday. He also said he has a left leg injury. His first appearance at the Caja Magica in Madrid was scheduled for Saturday.
Alcaraz is a two-time champion in Madrid, having won in 2022 and 2023. He was the second seed this week and in the same half of the draw as Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz said he did 'everything possible to play' but had to make the 'tough decision' to withdraw after listening to his body and talking to doctors.
'Madrid is one of the special tournaments for me, it's a tournament that I enjoy, I get to play in front of my fans, it's one of the first tournaments I attended when I was a kid,' Alcaraz said. 'These types of decisions are not easy to make but sometimes you have to think about your health and about what is important. A Grand Slam is a Grand Slam. If I play here, I could make the injuries worse and stop for several months and that's not worth it.'
He said he felt 'secure' about recovering in time to play next month at Roland Garros, where he is the defending champion. He won the Roland Garros final last year against Alexander Zverev, who has just leapfrogged the Spaniard to No. 2 in the world after winning in Munich last week.
'I'm not really worried about it,' Alcaraz said. 'I believe it's going to take one week, one week and a half, two weeks maximum, but I won't have doubts about coming back and moving 100% again.'
He said he plans to play in Rome ahead of the French Open, which begins on May 25.
'My mindset is to do everything it takes to be a hundred percent for Rome. I will do some tests at the beginning of next week just to see how it's improved, and from that let's see how it's going to be the next days,' he said. 'My hope is to play in Rome. If not, next tournament is Roland Garros for me. So I will try to be on court as soon as possible.'
Alcaraz needed treatment on his leg during his straight-set loss to Holger Rune in the Barcelona final. He had not practiced in Madrid yet, and said this week that he felt 'fine' but was waiting on medical test results to determine whether he would play.
Alcaraz, who will turn 22 on May 5, won in Monte Carlo to start his clay-court campaign and on a nine-match winning run until the Barcelona final. He said he later also felt pain in a muscle in his left leg.
Alcaraz vowed to 'come back stronger' but complained of the tennis schedule.
'Tennis is really a demanding sport,' he said. "Playing week after week, so many matches in a row, and you have to heal your body sometimes and take difficult decisions."
The four-time Grand Slam champion has a 24-5 record this year. In addition to Monte Carlo, he also won in Rotterdam on hard court in February.
'The schedule is really tight, really difficult tournaments week after week, and sometimes you have to think about yourself sometimes, and make the right decisions as to your health.'
© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Japan Times
3 days ago
- Japan Times
No rest, no gain: Novak Djokovic's go-to tools for a mind and body reset
Novak Djokovic clearly takes tennis very seriously. The results speak for themselves: 24 Grand Slam titles, 40 ATP Masters 1000 trophies, seven year-end championships, and an Olympic gold medal. Especially now that he's in the twilight of his career, he also takes rest and recovery seriously. Over his two decades at the top of the sport, the 38-year-old Serb has filled his personal toolbox with practices that help him become the best version of himself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. And now, Japan residents with deep pockets have a chance to replicate his wellness and longevity routines. Djokovic, currently the world's No. 5 ranked men's singles player, has expanded his focus on health by partnering with Aman Resorts to design wellness retreats at seven of its locations around the world, including Tokyo. In an email response to The Japan Times, Djokovic described what those checking into the Aman hotel, which occupies the 33rd to 38th floors of the 200 meter-high Otemachi Tower, can expect to get out of his detoxification programs, which guests can personalize according to their preferences. 'My hope is that guests to Aman Tokyo will leave feeling more connected — to themselves, to nature, and to their inner vitality,' he said. Rather than promising quick fixes, these three-day programs — priced at a steep ¥271,000 not including the room — reflect a more nuanced view of well-being, inspired by Djokovic's own holistic approach to performance and recovery. The programs incorporate Japanese wellness philosophies, including activities like monk-led meditation and chanting. A 150-minute spa treatment, juice cleanse and poolside sound bath are also on the menu. Djokovic claims these are his tried and tested methods of relaxation, and it's hard to argue with his success on the court. 'Japan holds a special place in my heart,' he says. 'I have deep respect for the Japanese culture, the discipline, and the attention to detail in every aspect of life. The harmony between tradition and modernity in Japan is inspiring. Playing in Japan, especially at the Tokyo Olympics, was a memorable moment for me, and I hope to play in Japan again soon.' Djokovic is renowned for his meticulous health regimen but has been the source of controversy in the past for rejecting mainstream medical advice, including the COVID-19 vaccine. That stance caused him to miss several high-profile tournaments during the pandemic, including the Australian Open and U.S. Open in 2022. Djokovic starts his day with a glass of warm water and lemon, followed by two spoonfuls of Manuka honey. He drinks superfood smoothies and avoids coffee. He uses saunas and ice baths. He also prays, inhales essential oils, swims in the sea and even hugs trees. In 2025, it's more common to see athletes talking about the importance of mental recovery. Yoga and breathing exercises have become regular additions to training routines for both men and women in sport. But Djokovic discovered wellness long before it was trendy. Djokovic says his tried and tested methods of relaxation include poolside sound baths, which feature on the menu in Aman's new programs. | Aman Tokyo Djokovic left the Tokyo Olympics empty-handed after losing the bronze medal match in singles and pulling out of mixed doubles. But he captured his first Olympic gold in Paris last summer , becoming only the third man to complete a career Golden Slam — winning all four Grand Slams and an Olympic gold in singles. For the seven-time Wimbledon champion, also a husband and father, wellness goes far beyond the physical realm. His book 'Serve To Win,' which came out in Japanese in 2015 and sold over 150,000 copies, is mostly about his gluten-free diet, but Djokovic makes it clear that food is only part of the health equation. 'It's a comprehensive daily routine that includes mental health, nutrition, and self-awareness. Staying competitive at the highest level for so long has required me to cultivate resilience, mindfulness, and balance,' he said. 'Off the court, I dedicate time to practices such as meditation, clean nutrition, and recovery routines that nourish both body and mind. This philosophy has supported my performance on the court and off the court in my personal and professional life.' The World Health Organization constitution states: 'Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.' Tatsuya Yamaguchi, a sports psychiatrist at Japan High Performance Sport Center and one of four mental health welfare officers who traveled to Paris as part of the Japan Olympic delegation , agrees that being healthy isn't just about looking after your body and staying free from illness. 'A holistic approach to health and wellness offers numerous benefits by addressing the whole person rather than just physical symptoms. When athletes get injured, they all feel and respond to pain differently because their emotions can affect how they experience pain. Providing relief from emotional pain can potentially reduce physical pain,' Yamaguchi said. Yamaguchi said the athlete handbook produced by his center defines 'intelligent' athletes as those that often excel in three areas: self regulation, adaptability and resilience. He explains that emotional intelligence skills are what sets top performers apart from the rest of the pack, and Djokovic's secret weapon is his brainpower. 'You could say Djokovic is practicing mindfulness meditation, which has been shown to enhance athletic performance. Studies indicate that it reduces activity in the brain's default mode network (DMN) and allows your mental engine to cool down. Mindfulness can help with anxiety and depression caused by an overactive DMN. It's a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.' Even a hyper-dedicated athlete like Djokovic knows you're not meant to work 24/7. And if you're not sleeping adequately, eating with intention and minimizing stress, peak athletic performance isn't possible — it isn't just about physical prowess, but deeply tied to overall health and well-being. 'Competing at the highest level for years has taught me that self-care isn't optional, it's foundational,' said Djokovic, who broke onto the scene in 2003 as a skinny teen from a war-torn country and is now considered by many to be the greatest tennis player of all time. 'The pressures of performance and the emotional toll of competition require athletes to be proactive about their well-being. From my personal experience, prioritizing mental clarity, physical restoration, and emotional balance allows us to not only perform better but to sustain our careers and personal fulfillment over time.'
Japan Today
5 days ago
- Japan Today
'Tennis the winner' as Alcaraz and Sinner set for enduring rivalry
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner delivered one of the greatest Grand Slam finals in history at the French Open tennis By Martyn WOOD After producing one of the greatest Grand Slam finals of all time, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner served an explicit reminder they are the two main forces set to reign in men's tennis for years to come. In the first French Open final in more than three decades between two players aged 23 or under, Alcaraz and Sinner delivered undoubtedly the most electrifying chapter in an increasingly captivating rivalry. It was the first time the pair had met in a Grand Slam final and it didn't disappoint, with twists and turns, high drama and outrageous shot-making from start to finish. "This one was the most exciting match that I've played so far, without a doubt," said Alcaraz after winning the longest final in Roland Garros history. "Today I think the match had everything." The five-hour, 29-minute epic indeed had it all, as Alcaraz saved three championship points in the fourth set on his way to a fifth Grand Slam title in as many finals. That he reached the milestone at exactly the same age as Rafael Nadal -- 22 years, one month and three days -- was "destiny", according to Alcaraz. The manner in which he won was equally as striking as Nadal's fifth major at Wimbledon in 2008, when he beat Roger Federer in another of the sport's all-time great finals. Alcaraz was reluctant to rank his win against that match but suggested Novak Djokovic's triumph over Nadal at the 2012 Australian Open was even better than Sunday's match. "If people put our match on that table, it's a huge honor for me," said Alcaraz. "I don't know if it is at the same level as those matches. So I let the people talk about it if for them (they) are almost the same. "But I'm just happy to put our match and our names in the history of the Grand Slams, in the history of Roland Garros." 'Taken tennis to another level' The spectacle in Paris lent more weight to the comparisons that had already been made between the sport's new rivalry and those shared by Djokovic, Nadal and Federer. Sinner said it was hard to compare different generations but appreciated being a part of it all. "I think every rivalry is different," said the Italian. "It's good to see that we can produce also tennis like this, because I think it's good for the whole movement of tennis." Federer and Nadal were among those to congratulate the finalists for an extraordinary performance. "Three winners in Paris today: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and the beautiful game of tennis. What a match!" Federer wrote on social media. "What a great Roland Garros final," said Nadal. So gripping was the contest that Spain's soccer players huddled around a mobile phone to watch before their Nations League final loss on penalties to Portugal. With Federer and Nadal retired, and Djokovic now 38, this removed any remaining doubt of the dawn of a new era and answered the question as to who will fill the void left by the "Big Three." "I cannot believe how lucky we are that we are going to have this rivalry as they have taken our sport to another level," seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander told TNT Sports. "I never thought I would say that after the big three with Rafa, Roger and Novak but it is actually faster than ever, it is at a level (where) it is hard to believe they can do this." Alcaraz and Sinner first faced off in the second round of the Paris Masters in 2021. Alcaraz has won eight of 12 meetings -- including the last five -- but both players have already contributed so much with the prime of their careers seemingly still ahead. "Federer and Nadal played a couple of good finals, but nothing comes close to this," said Wilander, who won the previous longest Roland Garros final in 1982. "I thought: 'This is not possible - they're playing at a pace that is not human.' "These are two of the best athletes the human race can put forward and they happen to be tennis players." © 2025 AFP
Japan Times
6 days ago
- Japan Times
French Open champion Coco Gauff proud to represent 'Americans that look like me'
Newly crowned French Open champion Coco Gauff, the first Black American to win the title in a decade, said on Saturday her victory in Paris was for people back home who looked like her and struggled amid ongoing political turmoil. Gauff battled from a set down to beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-4 for her first French Open crown and her second Grand Slam title after the 2023 U.S. Open. She is the first Black American to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015. "It means a lot (to win the title), and obviously there's a lot going on in our country right now with things — like, everything, yeah. I'm sure you guys know," she said, smiling but without elaborating further. "But just to be able to be a representation of that and a representation of, I guess, people that look like me in America who maybe don't feel as supported during this time period, and so just being that reflection of hope and light for those people." There has been ongoing political turmoil in the United States following the election of President Donald Trump last year. Trump's first few months in office have featured an unapologetic assault on diversity and inclusion efforts, unraveling decades-old policies to remedy historical injustices for marginalized groups in a matter of weeks. In his second term, Trump revoked a landmark 1965 executive order mandating equal employment opportunities for all, slashed environmental actions to protect communities of color and ordered the gutting of an agency that helped fund minority and female-owned businesses. The actions have alarmed advocates, who say they effectively erase decades of hard-fought progress on leveling the playing field for marginalized communities. "I remember after the election and everything, it kind of felt (like) a down period a little bit, and my mom told me during Riyadh (in November 2024) 'just try to win the tournament, just to give something for people to smile for.' "So that's what I was thinking about today when holding that (trophy). "Then seeing the flags in the crowd means a lot. You know, some people may feel some type of way about being patriotic and things like that, but I'm definitely patriotic and proud to be American, and I'm proud to represent the Americans that look like me and people who kind of support the things that I support." Trump has previously denied claims he has employed racist attacks and an agenda throughout his political career.
