Carlos Alcaraz has announced that he is withdrawing from the 2026 Roland Garros tournament due to a right wrist injury. The world number two and two-time defending champion at the French Open made the decision after undergoing medical tests that highlighted the need for caution to allow proper healing.
The injury first became an issue during his opening-round match at the Barcelona Open earlier in April, where he received treatment on his wrist and forearm before ultimately pulling out of the event ahead of his second-round match. He had already decided to skip the Madrid Masters as well.
Following the latest assessments, Alcaraz and his team concluded that continuing to compete on clay at this stage would carry too much risk, leading him to also forgo the Italian Open in Rome.
In a statement shared on social media on April 24, 2026, the Spanish star explained the situation: “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 we will return to the court.”
He expressed how difficult the choice was, noting that it hurts to miss playing in front of his home crowds during the clay season, but emphasized the importance of prioritizing long-term recovery with the goal of coming back stronger.
As a result, the 2026 French Open, which begins on May 24 in Paris, will proceed without its defending champion for the first time in recent years. Alcaraz had been aiming for a third consecutive title at Roland Garros, but the wrist problem has sidelined him for the remainder of the clay-court swing.
Roland Garros organizers acknowledged the news with a heartfelt message, wishing him a full and speedy recovery while noting how much he will be missed at the event.
Fans and the tennis community have reacted with disappointment to the absence of one of the sport’s brightest talents, but there is widespread support for his decision to put health first. Updates on his return timeline are expected in the coming weeks as he focuses on rehabilitation.
