Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the 2026 French Open due to a wrist injury, ending his hopes of defending the title he won in 2024 and 2025. The announcement came via his social media channels on Friday, April 24, 2026, where he stated that medical tests advised caution and that he would skip both the Italian Open in Rome and Roland Garros to allow for proper recovery.
The world No. 2 tennis player confirmed he is prioritizing long-term health over immediate competition, saying the decision was made after consulting with his medical team. This marks the first time since his breakthrough Grand Slam victory at the 2022 US Open that Alcaraz will miss a major tournament he previously won.
Alcaraz, who turned professional in 2018, has established himself as one of the sport’s brightest talents, capturing seven Grand Slam singles titles by the age of 22. His withdrawal opens the door for other contenders, including Jannik Sinner, who has risen to world No. 1 in recent months and is now considered a leading favorite for the men’s singles title at Roland Garros.
The Spanish star’s absence will be notable at Stade Roland Garros, where he has enjoyed significant success in recent years. In addition to his back-to-back French Open titles in 2024 and 2025, Alcaraz won Wimbledon in 2023 and 2024, the US Open in 2022 and 2025 and the Australian Open in 2026 — completing a career Grand Slam at the youngest age in men’s tennis history.
His decision to withdraw from both the Italian Open and the French Open follows a pattern seen in other top athletes managing recurring physical issues. Wrist injuries have occasionally affected his schedule in the past, though none have previously forced him to miss consecutive clay-court Masters 1000 events and a Grand Slam in the same season.
As of mid-April 2026, Alcaraz holds a career singles record of 302–68 and has won 26 ATP Tour-level titles, including eight ATP Masters 1000 events. His earnings surpass $64.9 million, placing him among the all-time leaders in prize money.
While no official timetable for his return has been announced, Alcaraz indicated in his statement that his team will continue to monitor his recovery and determine a suitable comeback date based on medical advice. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely for updates ahead of the grass-court season and the upcoming Wimbledon Championships.
The French Open is scheduled to begin on May 24, 2026, and conclude on June 8, 2026. The tournament will proceed without its defending men’s singles champion for the first time since 2021.
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