Madrid scan inconclusive; Alcaraz seen wearing wrist cast as tests continue

Carlos Alcaraz’s medical uncertainty in Madrid lasted only a few days before turning into a firm decision: he is out of Rome and Roland-Garros with a right wrist injury. (atptour.com) (apnews.com) Alcaraz had withdrawn from the Mutua Madrid Open on April 17 after hurting the wrist at the Barcelona Open earlier that week. He said then that more testing was still ahead after a week of rest. (olympics.com) (atptour.com) At the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid on April 20, Alcaraz appeared wearing a brace on his right wrist and said, “The next test will be crucial.” He also said he would rather return later than risk a longer-term problem. (atptour.com) (olympics.com) Those comments fueled questions about Madrid, Rome and Paris because Alcaraz was defending champion points deep into the clay swing. By April 24, the answer was clear: his 2026 clay season was over. (atptour.com 1) (atptour.com 2) The injury dates to April 14, when Alcaraz said he felt the wrist “give way” during his opening match in Barcelona against Otto Virtanen. He withdrew before his next match and then skipped Madrid for the second straight year. (olympics.com 1) (olympics.com 2) When he confirmed the later withdrawals, Alcaraz said on social media that it was “a difficult time” and that he would come back stronger. ATP Tour said the decision followed tests that led him to end his clay campaign. (atptour.com) (apnews.com) The French Open loss is especially significant because Alcaraz had won the title in 2024 and 2025. Roland-Garros said the 2026 event will be the first Paris tournament he has missed since 2021. (rolandgarros.com) (olympics.com) He also leaves Rome as the defending champion there, stripping the clay season of one of its main rivalries with Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz had said before the withdrawal that he was willing to sacrifice rankings ground to protect “a very long career.” (atptour.com 1) (atptour.com 2) So the Madrid image that drove the speculation — Alcaraz in formalwear with a brace on his right wrist — now reads less like a warning sign than a timestamp. The tests are done, and the result is that the defending champion will not be back on clay this spring. (olympics.com) (apnews.com)