Full Breakdown
Carlos Alcaraz Withdraws from 2026 French Open Amid Wrist Injury Concerns
4/28/2026, 2:39:31 AM
Alcaraz Withdraws from Roland Garros
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz announced he will miss the Italian Open and French Open after a right-wrist injury forced him out of the Barcelona Open on 14 April 2026. The 22-year-old, two-time defending Roland Garros champion and seven-time major winner, withdrew before his second-round match in Barcelona and from the Madrid Masters.
Injury Timeline
Alcaraz injured his wrist during his opening-round win over Otto Virtanen at the Barcelona Open on 14 April. He withdrew before the second round, missed the Madrid Masters, and posted that he will skip Rome and Paris for medical reasons. He had not missed a Grand Slam since a hamstring injury kept him out of the 2023 Australian Open.
Official Statements
Former French Open champion Adriano Panatta warned tennis authorities that “injuries are multiplying at a very worrying rate, and this is very bad news for this sport.” Alcaraz posted that “After the results of the tests… we have decided… to be cautious and not participate in Rome or Roland Garros… It’s a complicated moment for me, but I’m sure we will come out of this stronger.” Coach Patrick Mouratoglou added, “A career is long. I’m not going to jeopardise it for the short term.”
Physical Demands Critique
Panatta described modern tennis as “very violent” and said it subjects players to “inhuman physical strain,” urging governing bodies to address the accelerating injury rate.
Impact on Roland Garros
Alcaraz’s absence removes a major draw for spectators and reduces the tournament’s headline appeal. It reshapes the field; Novak Djokovic may see an opening to contend for the title. The withdrawal could impact Alcaraz’s world-No. 1 race and his points defense from the last two French Open wins.
Conflicting Reports
Mouratoglou noted that “nobody really knows” the exact severity of the wrist injury, only that a cast suggests immobilization and a potentially lengthy recovery.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I want to appeal to the institutions that regulate tennis: injuries are multiplying at a very worrying rate, and this is very bad news for this sport.” — Adriano Panatta, 1976 French Open champion
- “In a social media post announcing his double withdrawal, Alcaraz wrote: “After the results of the tests carried out today, we have decided that the most prudent thing is to be cautious and not participate in Rome or Roland Garros, while we wait to assess the progress in order to decide when we will return to the court.” — Carlos Alcaraz, world No. 2
- “A career is long. I’m not going to jeopardise it for the short term.” — Patrick Mouratoglou, coach
- “Today’s game is very violent and subjects these guys to inhuman physical strain.” — Adriano Panatta
Next Steps
Mouratoglou indicated the Spaniard hopes to return at the Queen’s Club ATP 500 event in mid-June and to compete at Wimbledon thereafter.
