Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed he will not participate in this year’s French Open, owing to a wrist injury.
The World No 2, who triumphed at the Australian Open at the start of the year, said on Instagram that he was taking the ‘prudent’ measure following tests on the injury.
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, while we assess the situation to determine when we can return to the court.
‘This is a difficult time for me, but I am sure we will come out of this stronger.’
Alcaraz’s setback is a boost for his fierce rival Jannik Sinner, who has never won the Roland Garros tournament before.
He enters the tournament as the World No 1 and was a finalist last year – succumbing to Alcaraz in a classic five-set match.
Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz has been forced to pull out of the French Open
A wrist injury has led to Alcaraz having to pull out of the tournament, which begins next month
‘Some heartbreaking news as Carlos Alcaraz, our 2024 and 2025 champion, will not be able to defend his title at Roland-Garros 2026 due to a wrist injury,’ a French Open statement read.
‘Wishing you all the best in your recovery Carlos, we’ll miss you!’
Alcaraz had been seen with a cast on his right arm when attending the Laureus Awards earlier this week, where he was named as World Sportsman of the Year.
The 22-year-old, who became the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open in January, had stressed he would not risk his long-term prospects by playing through injury at the French Open.
Alcaraz’s absence will see Sinner installed as the clear favourite, with the pair having won the last nine Grand Slam titles between them.
Sinner can match Alcaraz in completing the career Grand Slam should he triumph in Paris.
The Italian, however, admitted it was a blow for the tournament to lose Alcaraz and expressed hope his rival would quickly return to fitness.
‘Tennis needs Carlos,’ said Sinner. ‘Tennis is a much better sport when he’s around.
Jannik Sinner will head into the French Open as favourite after losing to Alcaraz in last year’s final, but admits his withdrawal is a blow to the tournament
‘But being young, going through difficult moments, it can happen. I do believe he’s going to come back stronger than before. But injuries are always tough, especially a wrist.
‘There’s certain areas of our body what are very sensitive. The wrist, we saw with also other players in the past that they can complicate our life. So I hope he’s going to come back and he will not have any further injuries.’
Alcaraz’s absence could provide Novak Djokovic with a chance to claim a record breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
The 38-year-old has been foiled by Alcaraz and Sinner in recent years, with the Australian Open seeing him beat the latter in the semi-finals only to lose to the former in the final.
Djokovic would be one of just two former French Open champions on the entry list after Alcaraz’s absence, along the Serbian star has not played a tournament for over a month due to a reported shoulder injury.
The retiring Stan Wawrinka would be the only other former champion to compete, with the opportunity opening up for a potential first time winner at the French Open.
