Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from Madrid Open on Thursday after the second seed said he was fighting with hamstring and groin injuries in what could be a blow to the 21-year-old’s preparations to protect his open French title next month.

Alkaraz suffered damage during the Barcelona Open final, where he was denied a third title from Denmark Holger Runewho amazed the Masters Champion Monte Carlo in straight groups.

“I couldn’t practice the whole week and discovered that I had hamstrings and injuries to the groin. I had to listen to my body and make the right decision“Alcaraz told reporters.

“On Monday I will have more medical tests and after that we will have a better idea than long time I will be out.

“This tournament is very exciting, but things didn’t work as I wanted to be able to compete. It hurts not to be able to play here in Madrid in front of my people, my friends and family“

Alcaraz had taken a Bye in the second round and was scheduled to play his first match on Friday.

He received a medical timeframe during the open Barcelona final and continued to receive treatment in the next change before Rune prevailed, throwing the Spaniard at number three in the world rankings.

The other big tour in Swing Claycourt is Italian Open, a Master 1000 event from May 7 to 18 in Rome, where number one world Jannik sinful It is expected to make a return from his detention of doping.

The main French open drawing begins on May 25.

“I look forward to returning to court and starting to practice within two weeks. Rome is still an opportunity but will surely be in Paris“Alcaraz added.

“It’s not an easy decision because Madrid is the first tour I have ever been as a young child, is the most special place for me to play.

“But (Roland Garros’s prioritization) was a large part of my decision to stop and heal properly“