Carlos Alcaraz has pulled out of the Barcelona Open after suffering an injury to his right wrist and forearm during his first-round win over Finland’s Otto Virtanen.
The Spaniard won 6-4, 6-2 and was scheduled to face Czech Republic’s Tomáš Macháč in the second round, but confirmed his withdrawal at a press conference in Barcelona on Wednesday evening.
A two-time champion at the event, Alcaraz said medical results showed the injury was more serious than initially expected.
“After seeing the results today, it turns out the injury is a little more serious than we all expected. I need to listen to my body and do what’s best for me, so it doesn’t affect me in the future,” said the 22-year-old.
Alcaraz must now decide on his participation in the Madrid Open, which begins on April 20, as he builds towards defending his French Open title starting May 21. Madrid’s high altitude offers different conditions, while the Italian Open in Rome from May 5 is considered a closer match to the clay courts in Paris.
