Alcaraz and Nadal continue recovery from injuries at Madrid Open while Djokovic skips tournament
MADRID (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz is back from injury to try to win a third consecutive Madrid Open this week, with Rafael Nadal also in Monday’s draw but top-ranked Novak Djokovic missing.
Alcaraz will be competing in his first European clay-court event of the season after skipping Monte Carlo and Barcelona because of a right arm injury. The 20-year-old Spaniard begins his title defense against Alexander Shevchenko or Arthur Rinderknech.
Nadal, a record five-time champion in Madrid, continues his comeback from injury by facing American wild-card Darwin Blanch in the first round. The 22-time Grand Slam champion will then meet 10th-seed Alex de Minaur if he advances.
Nadal lost to De Minaur in the second round at the Barcelona Open last week in his first tournament for more than three months.
The 37-year-old Nadal last won the Madrid title in 2017, when he beat Dominic Thiem in the final.