“A difficult time for me”: Carlos Alcaraz pulls out of Roland Garros amid worsening wrist injury
ATPFriday, 24 April 2026 at 18:00
Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed he will miss both the Italian Open and Roland Garros following medical tests on a persistent right wrist injury, formally ending his 2026 clay season. The decision, announced via Instagram, removes him from the two tournaments where he was defending champion points, with immediate consequences for the ATP rankings.
Alcaraz was already outside the realistic margin of the No. 1 race during the clay swing, given the volume of points he needed to defend across Rome and Paris. His absence now confirms a structural drop of approximately 3,000 points once those results come off his ranking, leaving him without a pathway back to the top spot in the coming months.
The 22-year-old had reached the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this month, losing to Jannik Sinner in a result that also marked the shift at No. 1. He attempted to respond the following week at the Barcelona Open, where he needed the title to remain competitive in the rankings race, but withdrew before the round of 16 against Tomáš Macháč due to wrist pain.
That sequence continued with his withdrawal from the Madrid Open, extending his absence from his home Masters event for a second consecutive year. Although he attended the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, he later confirmed in interviews that the injury was more serious than initially expected.
Ranking impact and confirmed timeline shift
Alcaraz outlined the decision in a direct statement, confirming that the priority is recovery rather than managing the injury through competition.
“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. This is a difficult time for me, but I am sure we will come out of it stronger ❤️”
The ranking implications are immediate. With 1,000 points from Rome and 2,000 from Roland Garros set to drop, Alcaraz will begin the grass swing with a significantly reduced total and without proximity to the top ranking. The gap created during this period effectively removes him from the No. 1 race until at least the second half of the season.
From a competitive standpoint, the interruption halts a clay campaign that had shown partial form but limited continuity. The Monte Carlo final demonstrated his level on the surface, but the inability to sustain physical availability has defined the outcome of the swing. The next phase of his season is now dependent on recovery timelines, with the grass season representing the earliest potential return window.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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