Carlos Alcaraz would love to play at the 2024 Madrid Open, and he's targetting a return there, but he also doesn't want to rush his return.
There is a lot of uncertainty about Alcaraz's status ahead of the Madrid Open, which is inching closer by the day. The Spaniard is currently away from the courts after an odd sequence of events in which he dismissed being injured while admitting to feeling pain while hitting the forehand.
The extent of the discomfort, or an injury, might be debated, but it's clear that the 20-year-old is struggling with something that prevents him from playing, however it's called. It was severe enough to keep him from playing at the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open.
He withdrew from both events, and it seems like he might withdraw from the Madrid Open. Speaking at a press conference in Barcelona, Alcaraz admitted that he's targeting a return in Madrid but doesn't want to rush it.
"My goal is Madrid, but I'm not clear at all. They gave me some deadlines that I met, but the feelings were not good, and I don't want to rush. That is my intention, I will wait for my feelings to be the best, I hope I can see people in Madrid."
Alcaraz hinted at a return in Madrid but also admitted that he might not play if he doesn't feel well, so basically, it will be a day-by-day decision for the two-time major winner. We won't really know the ultimate conclusion to the whole saga until after a few days before the Madrid Open.
He will likely travel to the event and practice there, and then, if he feels well, he'll play. There is a lot of uncertainty so far, but we'll know more in the coming days.