PARIS — Carlos Alcaraz will not defend his French Open title this year. The two-time defending champion announced his withdrawal from Roland-Garros 2026 on Friday, April 24, citing a lingering right wrist injury that has sidelined him for several weeks.
The decision comes just days after Alcaraz pulled out of the Barcelona Open before his scheduled second-round match and skipped the Madrid Masters 1000 event. He confirmed he will also miss the Italian Open in Rome as part of a cautious approach to his recovery.
“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 wrote on his social media accounts. “This is a difficult time for me, but I am sure we will come out of it stronger.”
Alcaraz, who turned 22 earlier this month, has owned a 22-3 record this season prior to the withdrawal. He entered the clay-court swing as the defending champion in both Rome and Paris, having won back-to-back titles at Roland-Garros in 2024 and 2025.
His absence marks the first time since 2021 that Alcaraz will not compete at the French Open. The Spaniard had hoped to become the first man since Björn Borg to win three consecutive titles at Roland-Garros.
The injury has already cost Alcaraz his world No. 1 ranking. He surrendered the top spot in the PIF ATP Rankings to Jannik Sinner following his loss in the Monte-Carlo final. As of April 24, Alcaraz trails Sinner by 390 points in the rankings.
Alcaraz is defending 1,000 points in Rome and 2,000 points at Roland-Garros. His withdrawal opens the door for Sinner, who reached the final in Paris last year and is seeking to complete a career Grand Slam.
The French Open is scheduled to commence in late May and run through early June at Stade Roland Garros in Paris. Alcaraz said he will remain sidelined at least until June although medical staff evaluate the progression of his wrist injury.
His withdrawal ends a streak of four consecutive clay-court tournaments missed, including Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, and now Paris. Alcaraz had won 18 of his last 20 matches on clay before the injury disrupted his season.
The two-time champion last lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires in June 2025 after saving three match points in an epic final against Sinner. That victory cemented his status as one of the sport’s rising stars and a dominant force on red clay.
Now, the focus shifts to his recovery and long-term health. Alcaraz emphasized that the decision to withdraw was made with caution in mind, prioritizing his ability to return to full strength later in the season.
“I am sure we will come out of it stronger,” he added, reflecting the resolve that has defined his young career despite this setback.
As the tennis world adjusts to the absence of its reigning Roland-Garros champion, attention turns to the next generation of contenders vying for supremacy on the Parisian clay. The tournament will proceed without one of its most prominent figures, but the spirit of competition remains undiminished.
Alcaraz’s next steps will depend on medical evaluations in the coming weeks. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely for updates on his rehabilitation timeline and potential return to the tour.
For now, the focus is on healing. The two-time champion has stepped away from the court to address an injury that threatened to derail his season — a decision made not in defeat, but in preparation for what comes next.
Stay tuned to Archysport for the latest updates on Carlos Alcaraz’s recovery and the unfolding storylines at Roland-Garros 2026.
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