Roland-Garros 2026: Carlos Alcaraz Withdraws Due to Wrist Injury

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Injured to his right wrist, the two-time defending champion has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming edition of Roland-Garros, ending his hopes for a historic “three-peat” in Paris.

PARIS — In a move that has sent shockwaves through the tennis world, Carlos Alcaraz announced on Friday, April 24, 2026, that he will not defend his crown at the upcoming French Open. The world No. 2 and reigning back-to-back champion revealed that a persistent right wrist injury has failed to heal in time for the clay-court major, forcing him to remain sidelined until at least June.

A Difficult Decision for the Defending Champion

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz serving during his first round match against Giulio Zeppieri, at the 2025 French Open. Photo by Kuberzog (Creative Commons license)

The announcement came via Alcaraz’s social media channels following a series of medical tests. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who has dominated the red clay of Philippe-Chatrier for the past two years, expressed his heartbreak over missing the tournament he has come to define.

“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,” Alcaraz shared with his followers. “This is a difficult time for me, but I am sure we will come out of it stronger.”

The injury was sustained during his opening-round match at the Barcelona Open earlier this month against Otto Virtanen. While Alcaraz managed to win that match, the subsequent soreness escalated into a more serious concern, leading to his withdrawal from Barcelona, Madrid, and now the remainder of the European clay swing.

Impact on the 2026 Season

Alcaraz’s absence is a monumental blow to the tournament. Since 2024, he has been the undisputed king of Paris. In 2025, he triumphed in what many call the greatest French Open final in history—a five-hour, 29-minute marathon against Jannik Sinner where Alcaraz saved three match points to claim the title.

His withdrawal has significant implications for the ATP rankings and the tournament draw:

  • Ranking Fallout: Alcaraz stands to lose 3,000 ranking points (from his 2025 wins in Rome and Paris), likely cementing Jannik Sinner’s position at world No. 1.
  • The Power Vacuum: With the defending champion out, Sinner becomes the heavy favorite to claim his first Roland-Garros title.
  • The “Big Titles” Race: Novak Djokovic, currently ranked world No. 4, now sees a clearer path to a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.

A Career-First Setback in Paris

This marks the first time since his debut in 2021 that Alcaraz will miss Roland-Garros. Earlier this week, while accepting the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, Alcaraz was spotted wearing a protective brace, fueling rumors that his participation was in jeopardy.

Despite the disappointment, Alcaraz’s team is prioritizing his long-term health. Having already completed a Career Grand Slam with his Australian Open victory in January 2026, the young Spaniard is focused on ensuring the wrist injury does not become a chronic issue that could hamper his explosive style of play.

What’s Next for Alcaraz?

While the clay season is over for the “Murcian Marvel,” the focus now shifts to the grass-court season. Fans are hopeful that the six-week recovery window will allow him to return in time for Wimbledon, where he is a two-time champion.

For now, the tennis world prepares for a Roland-Garros without its brightest star. As Jannik Sinner noted in Madrid following the news: “It is very sad for the sport. You always want to play against the best, and Carlos is the best on this surface. We all hope to see him back for the grass.”

The 2026 edition of Roland-Garros is scheduled to begin on May 24. While the “Sincaraz” rivalry will have to wait for its next chapter, the race for the Musketeers’ Trophy is now wide open.