Carlos Alcaraz has admitted he has yet to decide whether he will play at the Rome Masters after giving up a worrying update on his forearm injury.
Alcaraz arrived in Madrid last week with big questions over his fitness after he was forced to pull out of tournaments in Monte Carlo and Barcelona due to an injury that affects his ability to hit his forehand.
He navigated his way past two challenging matches and looked to be winning his fitness fight, but Alcaraz’s quest for a third successive Madrid Open title was ended by a shock quarter-final defeat to Andrey Rublev.
The reigning Wimbledon champion was on course to extend his winning streak at the event to a record-breaking 15 matches after clinching the opening set.
Yet Russian Rublev hit back in stunning fashion to register one of the greatest wins of his career, progressing 4-6 6-3 6-2 in just over two hours.
Asked about the most pleasing part of his performance, the 26-year-old told Sky Sports: “That I was able to stay calm all the match. I don’t know how—even me, I’m surprised.”
Rublev’s joy was contrasted by Alcaraz’s concern, as he revealed his arm problem affected him in the final stages of his defeat against Rublev.
“Well, yeah, today I probably felt more in the forearm than yesterday’s match,” admitted Alcaraz.
“I mean, playing for three hours yesterday, I knew that I’m going to feel something or that I’m going to think about it even more.
