Carlos Alcaraz awaits crucial medical assessment, major doubt for Madrid Open

Alcaraz had hoped to claim a third title in Catalonia and headed back to his Spanish homeland in an upbeat mood after winning last week's Monte Carlo Masters.

However, he was clearly hampered by a physical problem in the second set and fell to a 7-6(6), 6-2 defeat.

The loss was damaging as with Alexander Zverev celebrating his 28th birthday by winning the BMW Open on home soil in Munich, Alcaraz will drop back to number three on the world rankings behind the German on Monday.

Alcaraz started the match in dominant form and broke serve early in the first set, but Rune was in impressive form and snapped a 13-game losing streak against opponents ranked in the top five rivals as he claimed his first ATP 500 title.

"It means the world," the Dane said on Sky Sports, as he booked his return to the top 10 of the ATP rankings with his win in Barcelona.

"It was such a great match. In the beginning, I was a bit stressed because Carlos obviously played big-time tennis. I had to breathe a lot and find my rhythm.

"Then it was a big battle in the first set, the first set was extremely important. I'm so proud of myself."

The questions after the match focused on the injury to Alcaraz and while there were suggestions he had a groin problem, the reigning French Open champion revealed the problem area was his psoas.

The psoas muscle is a long, thick muscle located in the lower back, specifically on either side of the spine.

It's a crucial part of the core, connecting the spine to the hip and thigh bone. The psoas muscle's main function is to flex the hip, allowing you to move your leg forward, and it also plays a role in spinal stabilisation and posture.

"I've noticed some discomfort in my right psoas, and when you feel a little pain, alarm bells go off and you're taken out of the match," said Alcaraz.

"I've struggled to keep going and maintain a good level. From what I'm feeling right now, I'll be off for two days. I'm confident it won't hurt me ahead of Madrid"

"It's been two weeks of nonstop play, and it's been a real challenge. Today wasn't possible, but I gave everything I had. I don't know if I could have pushed myself any harder."

A report in the Spanish newspaper Marca suggests Alcaraz will have a scan on his back on Monday, with the result set to decide whether he will play at the Madrid Open.

He will receive a bye in the first round of the tournament and could ask tournament organisers for a delayed start in Madrid, but his suggestion that he is jadaed after playing so much tennis in Monte Carlo and Barcelona suggests he may welcome a break from competitive tennis over the next few days. 

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