Former French Open winner Adriano Panatta has argued Carlos Alcaraz plays too many tournaments and suggested the Spaniard’s clay-court schedule led to his injuries.

Alcaraz was forced to pull out of the Madrid Masters on Thursday due to a double injury blow suffered in the Barcelona Open final last week.

In a press conference announcing his withdrawal, Alcaraz explained: “During the Barcelona final, I hurt the adductor muscle in my right leg, but I also felt something in the hamstring of my left leg.

“We’ve tried everything to improve, but it hasn’t been possible. We’ve discussed with the team whether I could play safely, but we have to listen to our bodies.”

The world No 3 was beaten 7-6(6), 6-2 by Holger Rune in the Barcelona title match, with his physical issues significantly hampering his ability to compete in the second set.

This was the 10th match Alcaraz played inside a 12-day stretch, with the 21-year-old having won five matches en route to winning the Monte Carlo Masters title and also played five during his Barcelona run.

During his Barcelona campaign, Alcaraz criticised the two-week format that is now used at seven of the nine Masters 1000 tournaments, including the Madrid Open.

“The one week ones are better. Some will think that in two weeks there are days of rest, but that is not the case,” he told the media.

“You train, you have to mentally prepare for the game, prepare for it… you’re not resting, really. It’s two full weeks. That’s why I prefer the one-week Masters 1000. For me, it’s better for tennis.”

Panatta, a former world No 4, harshly claimed Alcaraz “disappointed” in Barcelona and took issue with the Spanish star’s comments about the Masters schedule.

“He certainly disappointed in Barcelona,” the Italian was quoted as saying by OA Sport. “Then I read that the Spaniard complains about the Masters 1000 that last two weeks, but let’s look carefully at his program.

“After Monte Carlo, he went to Barcelona, ​​then he [was planning to] do Madrid, Rome and Paris without interruption. These guys never stop. Let’s think about it: is it a calendar problem or a programming problem because he always plays?

“I think that the goal for tennis players at this level should be the four Grand Slam tournaments and then another seven to eight important tournaments among the various Masters 1000. They should focus only on those.

“You can’t always play and you can’t do every tournament at your best. Not even someone like Alcaraz who has an incredible physique can do it. Furthermore, these players get hurt often and it happens because they hit too hard and move at incredible speeds.”

Alcaraz has admitted there is no guarantee he will return at the Italian Open as he looks to prioritise his French Open title defence.