Investigators pin Barcelona backward shot as likely origin of Alcaraz’s wrist inflammation

Carlos Alcaraz has ended his 2026 clay season after saying his right wrist injury will keep him out of Rome and Roland-Garros. (atptour.com) (rolandgarros.com) The Spaniard said the problem began in Barcelona on April 14, when he beat Otto Virtanen in the first round, then worsened enough to force his withdrawal the next day. (barcelonaopenbancsabadell.com) (atptour.com) In his Barcelona press conference, Alcaraz said that “after a return shot” he felt something “give” in his wrist and that the discomfort kept building during the match. He still finished the win, 6-4, 6-2, before tests ruled him out of the tournament. (barcelonaopenbancsabadell.com) (espn.com) That leaves a gap between what is documented and what is circulating online. Official statements identify a return shot in the Virtanen match as the trigger, but they do not publicly specify a backward “trick” shot as the cause. (barcelonaopenbancsabadell.com) (atptour.com) The timing is costly. Alcaraz was the defending champion in both Rome and Paris, and Roland-Garros said the withdrawal means he will miss the tournament for the first time since 2021. (atptour.com) (rolandgarros.com) Barcelona had already shown the first visible warning sign. During the Virtanen match, Alcaraz called for treatment on his right wrist and forearm area before pulling out ahead of his scheduled second-round match against Tomas Machac. (espn.com) (atptour.com) The injury also changed the rankings race immediately. ATP said Alcaraz could have returned to world No. 1 by winning Barcelona, but his withdrawal left Jannik Sinner in front. (atptour.com) Alcaraz said this week he would not rush back and risk a longer-term problem. For now, the clearest public account still points to one return in Barcelona, not a confirmed trick shot, as the moment his wrist gave way. (barcelonaopenbancsabadell.com) (atptour.com)