Carlos Alcaraz lost the world number one spot to Jannik Sinner after the Monte Carlos Open and has now missed out on Roland Garros.
Published on 24 April 2026
Reigning two-time French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz has said he will not play in this year’s tournament as he recovers from a wrist injury.
The Spaniard said on Friday that the call to close his clay season was made after receiving test results on his right wrist, which have also ruled him out of the Italian Open.
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“We have decided that the most prudent thing is to remain cautious and not participate in Rome or Roland Garros,” Alcaraz said on social media.
“It’s a difficult time for me, but I’m sure we’ll come out of it stronger,” Alcaraz said, adding that he and his team will monitor his recovery before deciding when and where he will return.
Alcaraz suffered the injury during the first round of the Barcelona Open last week, where he defeated Otto Virtanen but later withdrew from the tournament.
The 22-year-old announced his withdrawal from the Madrid Masters on April 17, raising concerns over whether he would be able to compete at the French Open.
Alcaraz became the youngest person to complete a career Grand Slam with victory at the Australian Open in January. His record this season is 22-3 and he has also won a title in Doha.
Alcaraz, ranked second in the world, lost the top spot after losing to Jannik Sinner in the Monte Carlo Masters final on 12 April.
The seven-time Grand Slam winner is set to win at Roland Garros in 2024 and 2025. ​​He saved three championship points against Sinner in the longest French Open final in history last year.
The Italian, who has never won the French Open, may be able to take advantage of Alcaraz’s absence. This year’s tournament will run from May 24 to June 7.
“It’s sad news for all of us, being a competitor you want to play against the best players in the world and he’s certainly the best player on this surface,” Sinner said after winning his second-round match at the Madrid Open on Friday.
“As young as he is and so am I, we need to pay attention to our bodies first before worse things happen.”
Sinner said he hopes Alcaraz will be back playing by the time Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the year, approaches.
The 24-year-old further added, “It’s very sad news, I didn’t expect it, but he and his team know very well (what they are doing).”
“Hopefully, he can come back for Wimbledon, and we all look forward to big battles in the future.”
Alcaraz admitted earlier this week that if not playing in Paris was better for his long-term career, he would have made the decision.
“I’d rather come back sooner but maybe a little later but in good shape rather than risk making this injury worse,” he said Monday.
“I have a long career ahead of me, so I’m not afraid to miss out on whatever I have to do to get as well as possible.
“I hope it’s nothing serious, but I need to make a full recovery if I don’t want it to cause me problems in the future.”
This will be only the second Grand Slam that Alcaraz has missed since making her main draw debut at the 2021 Australian Open. The Spaniard withdrew from the 2023 edition in Melbourne due to a hamstring injury.
