World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from French Open 2026 and Rome Masters due to wrist injury suffered at Barcelona Open. Big impact on rankings expected.
Carlos Alcaraz Withdraws from French Open 2026
Carlos Alcaraz will not feature in the upcoming French Open, scheduled to begin on May 18. The world No.2 has opted out to recover from a wrist injury, also confirming his absence from the Italian Open.
The 22-year-old, who is the defending champion, shared the update on social media platform X, stating that returning without full fitness could worsen the injury. His medical team has advised complete recovery before competitive action.
Injury Timeline and Recovery Decision
The injury occurred during the Barcelona Open earlier this month. Alcaraz experienced wrist discomfort during his opening-round match against Otto Virtanen and later withdrew as the pain intensified.
He had already pulled out of the Madrid Open on April 17, raising doubts about his participation in Paris. Following medical assessments, the final decision was made to prioritize rehabilitation.
In his statement, Alcaraz emphasized that skipping Roland Garros was difficult but necessary for long-term fitness. He will now undergo structured rehab under medical supervision, with a return timeline dependent on recovery progress.
Impact on Rankings and Season Momentum
Alcaraz has enjoyed a strong season, highlighted by his victory at the Australian Open, where he became the youngest male player to complete a Career Grand Slam. He also secured a title in Doha and holds an impressive 22–3 win-loss record this year.
However, missing Roland Garros will significantly impact his ATP ranking, as he will be unable to defend his championship points. This opens the door for rivals like Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic to strengthen their positions in the title race.
Alcaraz had previously lost the world No.1 ranking after defeat in the Monte Carlo Masters final, making this withdrawal even more consequential in the rankings battle.
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