Carlos Alcaraz makes call on Barcelona Open following latest injury as Nadal still unclear
Carlos Alcaraz is the defending champion in Barcelona.
Carlos Alcaraz is set to travel to the Barcelona Open with the intention of competing at next week's tournament. The world No. 3 was forced to pull out of the Monte-Carlo Masters with a right forearm injury but is hoping to be ready for his opening match next Wednesday. Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal's participation remains uncertain with the draw set to be made on Saturday.
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Alcaraz will head to Barcelona on Sunday, according to Marca. The 20-year-old has had two days of practice at his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero's Academy following his Monte Carlo withdrawal, though he has not been hitting forehands in an effort to preserve his right forearm.
The two-time Major winner first sparked fears when he was seen wearing strapping on the area during his pre-tournament practice sessions in Monte Carlo. He went on to withdraw a day before his opening match. "I have been working in Monte Carlo and trying to recover until the last minute from an injured pronator teres in my right arm, but it was not possible and I cannot play," he wrote on social media.
Alcaraz has since taken a couple of days off training before resuming practice in Villena. He was still wearing the arm strapping during his sessions on Thursday and Friday.
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The world No. 3 is the two-time defending champion at the Barcelona Open, lifting the trophy in 2022 and 2023. With the draw being made this weekend, Alcaraz will be the top seed.
It still remains to be seen whether the 20-year-old will be ready for his opening match as he is yet to return to hitting forehands and could run into some trouble when he reintroduces the shot into his practice sessions in Barcelona. Meanwhile, Nadal finds himself in a similar spot of uncertainty in Barcelona.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner travelled to the city on Wednesday and has been practising there ever since. But he has made it clear that he has not yet committed to competing in the ATP 500 event.
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"Hello from Barcelona. First training session... excited to be here these days leading up to the tournament. I'm here to see how I'm doing.. looking forward to trying to play," Nadal said on Instagram after hitting at the tournament.
"I'll tell you. Important to say that I don't want to confirm that I will play, hopefully I will. we shall see." If Nadal doesn't pull out before tomorrow, he will be in the draw for the tournament and could wait until he plays his opening match on Monday or Tuesday to make a decision on whether he is ready to go.
Nadal was set to return in Monte Carlo but pulled out a few days before the tournament. "These are very difficult moments for me, sporting wise. Unfortunately I have to tell you that I am not going to be playing in Monte Carlo. My body simply won’t allow me," he said when he announced his withdrawal.
