Alcaraz withdraws from French Open

Carlos Alcaraz will not defend his French Open title after withdrawing with a right wrist injury, according to Olympics.com. The 22-year-old Spaniard leaves the men's draw without its reigning champion days before main-draw play begins at Roland Garros in Paris. His absence removes the player who beat Jannik Sinner in last year's final and had been one of the central names in the tournament buildup. Roland-Garros materials and Olympics.com say the main draw starts on Sunday, May 24. ### When did Alcaraz pull out, and what injury was cited? Olympics.com reported on May 23 that Alcaraz withdrew because of a wrist injury. A separate Olympics.com report published earlier said tests showed he would not recover in time from a lingering right wrist problem. The injury ends Alcaraz's attempt to defend the title he won in 2025. Olympics.com said he beat Sinner in last year's final in five sets after a match lasting 5 hours and 29 minutes. ### What changes in the men's field without the defending champion? Jannik Sinner becomes the most prominent name in the men's draw after Alcaraz's withdrawal, according to Olympics.com. The Italian world No. 1 is seeking his first Roland Garros title. Olympics.com said Sinner lost the 2025 final to Alcaraz and now returns to Paris with a chance to add the French Open to his Grand Slam haul. The same preview also listed Novak Djokovic among the leading contenders in the men's field. ### When does Roland Garros actually start? Roland Garros said in its 2026 schedule materials that the tournament's main competition begins on Sunday, May 24. The official site has already begun Opening Week activities, including practice sessions, exhibitions and media events. Roland Garros also said the singles draws were made on Thursday during Opening Week. Olympics.com said qualifying began on May 18 ahead of the main draw. ### Why does the date matter here? May 23 is the final full day before the main draw opens in Paris. That timing means Alcaraz's withdrawal comes after the tournament buildup had already shifted into on-site events, practices and draw-day coverage. Roland Garros said Opening Week on Saturday, May 23 included its annual charity day and fan events across the grounds. By the time first-round play starts on Sunday, the men's bracket will already have been reset around Alcaraz's absence. ### Who else is in focus heading into the first round? Novak Djokovic remains in the field as he pursues another French Open title, according to Olympics.com. Alexander Zverev was also listed by Olympics.com among the men seeking a first Grand Slam title in Paris. Coco Gauff enters as defending women's champion, Olympics.com said, while Aryna Sabalenka arrives as the women's world No. 1. BBC Sport reported this week that several top players, including Sinner and Sabalenka, limited media duties amid a protest over Grand Slam prize money. ### What happens next in Paris? Sunday, May 24 is the next key date, when main-draw singles play begins at Roland Garros. The official tournament site is carrying schedules, draws and daily order-of-play updates for the opening rounds. Paris will host first-round matches through the opening days of the event before the tournament moves deeper into the singles draw. With Alcaraz out, Sinner, Djokovic and the rest of the men's field will begin play without the defending champion in the bracket.