'IT HASN'T IMPROVED': ALCARAZ'S MADRID WITHDRAWAL ENSURES DE MINAUR SLIGHT UPPER HAND

Carlos Alcaraz informs the press about his Madrid availability. (Getty/Clive Brunskill)

In a huge blow for the Madrid Open, two-time winner Carlos Alcaraz has made the tough decision to pull out of the Masters 1000 event, gifting Alex de Minaur a handy advantage.

The claycourt swing has extracted every ounce of energy out of the Spanish superstar, who reached back-to-back finals by winning the Monte Carlo Masters and finishing runner-up behind Holger Rune in Barcelona.

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Not himself in the second set against Rune, there were growing concerns that Alcaraz was carrying an injury, first reported by Spanish media.

The day before his official announcement, Alcaraz appeared on Spanish television, raising immediate warning signs.

"I'm a little physically down. Tomorrow, my team and I will analyse the medical tests and make a decision," he confirmed.

"I'm going to do everything possible to play in the tournament."

Unfortunately for the world No.3, the limited recovery time made it impossible for him to compete in one of his favourite events on the calendar.

"In the Barcelona final, I had treatment on my right adductor, and I also noticed something in my left hamstring. I've done everything I could, but it hasn't improved," Alcaraz told a packed media room.

"To play here in Madrid is a place that I love playing, in front of my people, for the family and friends, they are not able to travel so much. So here is a special place for me. It was a really difficult situation."

This time last year, Alcaraz was doubtful to feature at the French Open after battling a forearm injury, but confirmed he's "not really worried" compared to 12 months ago.

It opens the door for Alex de Minaur at the expense of Alcaraz, becoming the top-seed in his quarter of the draw.

The Aussie, seeded sixth, is projected to face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fourth-round, with the latter dominating a one-sided 11-1 head-to-head, before a potential quarter-final against 15th seed Grigor Dimitrov or Monte Carlo finalist Lorenzo Musetti, instead of Alcaraz, looms.

De Minaur embarrassed the experienced Bulgarian 6-0 6-0 in the quarter-finals of Monte Carlo earlier this month, but a date against Musetti would create an instant rematch of their three-set semi-final at the same event.

Australia's No.1 hope has lost all four meetings against Alcaraz, dating back to 2022.

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