Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz has been forced to pull out of the Barcelona Open due to a wrist injury that proved more severe than initially anticipated. The world-class player had won his opening match but began experiencing wrist pain and was set to face Tomas Machac in the second round. Following a medical examination, Alcaraz decided it was best to withdraw from the tournament to avoid further injury. The decision comes as a setback for Alcaraz, who had been seeking to regain the world No 1 ranking and was a two-time champion in Barcelona.
In a press conference, Alcaraz expressed his disappointment, stating, 'I have to listen to my body and prioritize my health.' The young athlete now faces a challenge to recover in time for upcoming tournaments, including the defense of his French Open title. Meanwhile, other tennis players have been making strides, with British No 1 Cameron Norrie advancing to the quarter-finals in Barcelona and Katie Boulter progressing to the last eight in the Open de Rouen. On the WTA Tour, Iga Swiatek secured a quarter-final berth in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, marking her first match with new coach Francisco Roig. Novak Djokovic has also announced his return to action at the Mutua Madrid Open, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis.