Alcaraz withdraws from Italian Open

ROME – Carlos Alcaraz has pulled out of next week’s Italian Open in Rome after suffering more discomfort in his forearm.

The Spaniard missed the opening two big European clay-court events in Monte-Carlo and Barcelona with the injury but returned for a tilt at a third successive title at the Madrid Open.

However, Alcaraz was beaten by Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals and has now revealed his right arm remains a concern with less than a month to go until the start of the French Open.

Alcaraz wrote on social media: “I felt some pain after playing in Madrid, some discomfort in my arm. I did some tests and I have a muscle edema in my pronator teres, a consequence of my recent injury.

“Unfortunately I will not be able to play in Rome. I need to rest so I can recover and play 100 per cent pain free. I am very sorry; I will see you next year.”

Doubts also remain about the fitness of Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner and world number four Daniil Medvedev, who both pulled out mid-tournament in Madrid because of injuries.

The Spaniard returned to play at Madrid with a compression sleeve on the right arm, Reuters reported.

Alcaraz won the 2022 US Open and 2023 Wimbledon. He has an 18-5 record in the 2024 season, including his 13th tour-level title at Indian Wells.

Spain sensation Alcaraz was seeking history to become the first player to win the Madrid Open on three straight occasions. But his bid to overtake Rafa Nadal fell short after he lost in a three-set thriller to Andrey Rublev.

The Russian and Spaniard played their match in great spirits as they went head-to-head on centre court. And Rublev was stunned after the match having played arguably his best tennis of 2024.

When asked about what shocked him about his performance, Rublev joked: “That I was able to stay calm all the match. I don’t know how – even me, I’m surprised.”

Alcaraz would have surpassed Nada’s record of 14 straight wins in Madrid if he had made the semi-final.

Afrer the match, Rublev credited his own serve for getting the better of the young Spaniard. “I think the serve saved me a lot of times,” Rublev said.

“I think the key was I was completely calm the whole match. I did not say one word, even if I was losing. That was the key and I was able to serve even better near the end. In the beginning, I was not serving that well but little by little, after set one, I served better and better and finished really well.”

Alcaraz withdrew from the Monte Carlo Open due to an arm injury and the Spaniard admitted he is getting back to his best ahead of the Paris grand slam.

“I think I’m in a good shape right now. I’m not feeling anything in the forearm, and I played good tennis,” he said the other day.

“Obviously I’m not hitting my forehand on my hundred per cent … but I’m just focused to hitting the forehand as relaxed as I can. I’m really happy to be competitive without pain.”