Alcaraz withdraws from Roland-Garros wrist

Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from Roland-Garros on Friday, April 24, because of a right wrist injury, ending the two-time defending champion’s clay season before the tournament began. The Spaniard said on social media that tests led him and his team to decide “the most prudent thing” was not to play in Rome or Paris. Roland-Garros confirmed the withdrawal the same day, saying the wrist problem would keep Alcaraz out of the 2026 edition. The ATP Tour said the decision also meant he would miss the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome. ### When did Alcaraz pull out, and what exactly did he say? Friday, April 24, was the date Alcaraz announced he would not play Rome or Roland-Garros. In his statement, quoted by both Roland-Garros and the ATP Tour, he said: “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 court.” He added: “This is a difficult time for me, but I am sure we will come out of it stronger.” (rolandgarros.com) ### Which injury forced the withdrawal? Roland-Garros said Alcaraz was “injured to his wrist,” and its report specified a right wrist injury sustained in recent weeks. The ATP Tour also described it as a wrist injury suffered earlier in April. Roland-Garros said the issue came after he pulled out of Barcelona before a scheduled second-round match against Tomas Machac and after he decided not to compete in Madrid. (rolandgarros.com) ### Why is this such a big change for the tournament? Roland-Garros said Alcaraz was the two-time defending champion and noted he would miss the Paris major for the first time since 2021. The ATP Tour said he was also the defending champion in Rome and carried a 22-3 record this season at the time of the withdrawal. The ATP added that Alcaraz was defending 1,000 ranking points in Rome and 2,000 at Roland-Garros. (rolandgarros.com) ### How did it affect the men’s field in Paris? The ATP Tour’s tournament guide for Roland-Garros listed Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev among the headline names in Paris after Alcaraz’s exit. The same guide said the main draw would be played from May 24 to June 7 at Stade Roland Garros. Social media discussion around the event also grouped Alcaraz’s wrist injury with other absences among younger men’s players, including Arthur Fils, Holger Rune and Jack Draper, though the official withdrawal confirmation for Alcaraz came a month earlier. (rolandgarros.com) ### Did Alcaraz give a return date? Alcaraz did not set a return date in the statement carried by Roland-Garros and the ATP Tour. Roland-Garros said he would remain sidelined “at least until June,” while the player said he and his team would wait to “evaluate the progress” before deciding when he could return to court. (atptour.com) ### What comes next at Roland-Garros? The 2026 Roland-Garros main draw runs from May 24 through June 7 in Paris, according to the ATP Tour’s event guide. Tournament coverage, draws and schedules are being carried on the official Roland-Garros site as first-round play begins without the defending champion in the field. (atptour.com) (rolandgarros.com)