Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz's bid for a third consecutive Barcelona Open triumph was shattered when he pulled out of the tournament on Sunday due to a right arm injury, as confirmed by the organisers.
This setback mirrors his recent withdrawal from the Monte Carlo Masters due to the same injury, just weeks ahead of the French Open.
Despite his efforts until the eleventh hour, Alcaraz's absence from the Barcelona Open was inevitable, as stated by the organisers.
Alcaraz now turns his attention to the Madrid Open, scheduled from April 24 to May 5, an event he has clinched in the past two editions.
At 20 years old, Alcaraz is yet to secure a French Open title, although he boasts victories at the US Open (2022) and Wimbledon (2023), with his best showing at Roland Garros being a semi-final appearance last year.
Although seeded at the top in Barcelona, Alcaraz would have enjoyed a bye into the second round, a privilege not shared by his compatriot Rafael Nadal.
Nadal, aged 37, receives a wildcard invitation as he returns to the ATP Tour for the first time since a hip injury sidelined him in January.
Having played only one match—an exhibition against Alcaraz—since his quarter-final exit at the Brisbane Open against Jordan Thompson, the 22-time Grand Slam champion's ranking has plummeted to No. 646.
Nadal's injury in Brisbane led to his withdrawal from the Australian Open, as well as Doha and Indian Wells, where he had initially planned his comeback.
Since Brisbane, Nadal's only appearance was in an exhibition match against Alcaraz in Las Vegas in March, during which observers noted some discomfort in his back.
Given that this could potentially be Nadal's final year on tour, he is keen to avoid any further setbacks in his clay court preparations as he pursues an unprecedented 15th French Open title.
"I'm delighted to be here, Barcelona is a place where I've experienced a lot of happiness and where I've spent significant periods of my life," Nadal remarked during Saturday's draw ceremony.
