‘My abductor sent alarm bells ringing’

Carlos Alcaraz could not chase his third Barcelona Open title. The home favorite suffered a 7-6, 6-2 loss against his coeval Holger Rune to finish at the runner-up spot. The two young guns pushed each other to the limits in the opener. 

Holger claimed it in the tie break and gained confidence. The Dane rattled off five games in the second set to emerge at the top. Alcaraz asked for a medical timeout after the fifth game of the second set. The four-time Major winner revealed his issues after the duel.

Carlos felt physical issues at the beginning of the second set after a couple of demanding exchanges. He felt the pain in his right abductor muscle, which prevented him from performing at his best. World no. 3 will take a couple of days off the court, hoping to return at the Madrid Masters.

HOLGER RUNE! Just became the first to defeat Carlos Alcaraz in Barcelona since 2021!

Hoping Carlos is ok after the injury he sustained

pic.twitter.com/JB177mb0VR

— Barstool Tennis (@StoolTennis) April 20, 2025

Rune mebraced one of his career-best weeks and bested three notable rivals en route to the trophy. The Dane claimed nine points more than the Spaniard and had the upper hand in the pivotal ones. Alcaraz fought well in the opener. 

He stood two points away from taking it but ended on the losing side. The Spaniard could not maintain that level in the second set, dropping five straight game and ending on the losing side. Holger saved four of five break points and provided three breaks from five opportunities.

Carlos hit 33 loose shots, mostly from his forehand. Holger tamed his strokes nicely and hit 18 winners and 24 unforced errors. The lower-ranked player had the edge from the baseline and at the net, earning his win in those areas.

The Spaniard delivered his only break in the fifth game of the opener after drawing the rival’s mistake. Alcaraz could not stay in front, spraying forehand errors in the sixth game…