Carlos Alcaraz Withdraws from French Open Title Defence Due to Right Wrist Injury Two-time defending French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the 2026 Roland Garros tournament due to a right wrist injury sustained during the Barcelona Open. The announcement was made on April 24, 2026, confirming that the world No. 2 will not defend his title at the clay-court Grand Slam, which begins May 24 in Paris. Alcaraz first sought medical attention for his wrist during his first-round victory over Otto Virtanen at the Barcelona Open on April 14. Despite winning the match in straight sets, he withdrew from the tournament the following day. Subsequent medical evaluations led to his decision to skip both the Italian Open in Rome and the French Open to allow proper recovery. In a statement shared on social media, Alcaraz said: “After the results of the tests carried out today, we have decided that the most prudent thing to do is to be cautious and not participate in Rome or Roland Garros as we wait to evaluate the progress so we can decide when to return to the court. This is a difficult time for me, but I am sure we will come out of it stronger.” The injury marks a rare absence from a Grand Slam for Alcaraz since 2021. He previously missed only the 2023 Australian Open due to a right hamstring injury. Over that span, he has won seven Grand Slam titles, including back-to-back French Open crowns in 2024 and 2025. Alcaraz also confirmed he will not defend his Italian Open title, which he won in 2025. The tournament in Rome begins May 6, just weeks before Roland Garros. His withdrawal opens the draw for other contenders, including his great rival Jannik Sinner, who overtook Alcaraz for the world No. 1 ranking after winning the Monte Carlo Masters final in April. Sinner has acknowledged the difficulty of seeing Alcaraz miss such a significant event, calling it “highly sad” and noting the Spaniard’s importance to the sport. The decision reflects a cautious approach to long-term fitness, with Alcaraz emphasizing that rushing back could jeopardize his future performance. His team will monitor the wrist’s progress before determining a return-to-play timeline. As of April 25, 2026, no official timetable for his comeback has been released. Fans and analysts await further updates on his rehabilitation and potential return for the grass-court season or the US Open later in the year.
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