World number two and Australian Open winner Sinner felt a sore hip and pulled out of the quarter-finals against Felix Auger-Aliassime on Thursday.
Winning the Australian Open was 22-year-old Sinner’s big break and he now has superstar status and is one of the tour’s most interesting players, causing quite a stir wherever he turns up. He is 28-2 in games this season.
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“The hip has become more painful”
“It is very sad to have to withdraw from my next match here in Madrid. My hip has been bothering me this week and has slowly gotten more painful,” writes Sinner on X.
The timing is precarious to say the least. Next week the big tournament in Rome will be decided and a chance to show off in front of the home fans.
The French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year, begins on May 20.
Alcaraz ruled out with injury problems
At the same time in Madrid, world number three Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of winning a third straight title were dashed. The Spaniard lost to Andrej Rublev 4-6,6-3,6-2. Alcaraz, who turns 21 on May 5, has not been able to hit the ball with full force after a right forearm injury that was stabilized by a body stocking.
– Today I felt my forearm more than yesterday, I mean I played for three hours then, says Alcaraz according to AP.
Alcaraz will travel to Rome for the tournament next week, hoping to overcome his injury problems.
– I have to be patient, says Alcaraz.