Reigning French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz won't be defending his title at Roland Garros this year.
The seven-time Grand Slam winner announced in a social media post on Friday, April 24, that recent tests on his injured wrist will force him to withdraw from upcoming scheduled appearances at next month's Italian Open in Rome, as well as the only tennis Grand Slam contested on clay courts each year.
Alcaraz, 22, has won the French Open in back-to-back years and became the youngest man to complete the career grand slam in tennis when he captured the first Grand Slam title of the 2026 season at the Australian Open in January. Alcaraz's comeback from two sets down to beat Jannik Sinner in a fifth-set tiebreaker to win the 2025 French Open final is considered one of the great matches in Roland Garros history.
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates with the trophy after winning the Australian Open men's singles title against Novak Djokovic.Novak Djokovic poses with the runner-up trophy after losing the Australian Open men's singles final to Carlos Alcaraz.Carlos Alcaraz hugs Novak Djokovic after winning the Australian Open men's singles championship for the first time. Djokovic has won it 10 times.Carlos Alcaraz celebrates championship point in the Australian Open men's singles final against Novak Djokovic. He won the match 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.Carlos Alcaraz falls to the court in celebration after winning the Australian Open for his seventh career Grand Slam title.At age 22, Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest male tennis player to win all four Grand Slam events.Novak Djokovic backhands a shot during the men's Australian Open singles final against Carlos Alcaraz.Carlos Alcaraz in action during the men's Australian Open singles final against Novak Djokovic.Novak Djokovic reacts during the men's Australian Open singles final against Carlos Alcaraz.Carlos Alcaraz reacts during the men's Australian Open singles final against Novak Djokovic.Novak Djokovic in action during the men's Australian Open singles final against Carlos Alcaraz.Carlos Alcaraz in action during the men's Australian Open singles final against Novak Djokovic.Novak Djokovic returns during the men's Australian Open singles final against Carlos Alcaraz.Carlos Alcaraz reacts during the men's Australian Open singles final against Novak Djokovic1 / 14See Alcaraz beat Djokovic to win Australian Open, career Grand SlamCarlos Alcaraz celebrates with the trophy after winning the Australian Open men's singles title against Novak Djokovic.1 / 14See Alcaraz beat Djokovic to win Australian Open, career Grand SlamCarlos Alcaraz celebrates with the trophy after winning the Australian Open men's singles title against Novak Djokovic.2 / 14See Alcaraz beat Djokovic to win Australian Open, career Grand SlamNovak Djokovic poses with the runner-up trophy after losing the Australian Open men's singles final to Carlos Alcaraz.3 / 14See Alcaraz beat Djokovic to win Australian Open, career Grand SlamCarlos Alcaraz hugs Novak Djokovic after winning the Australian Open men's singles championship for the first time. Djokovic has won it 10 times.4 / 14See Alcaraz beat Djokovic to win Australian Open, career Grand SlamCarlos Alcaraz celebrates championship point in the Australian Open men's singles final against Novak Djokovic. He won the match 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.5 / 14See Alcaraz beat Djokovic to win Australian Open, career Grand SlamCarlos Alcaraz falls to the court in celebration after winning the Australian Open for his seventh career Grand Slam title.6 / 14See Alcaraz beat Djokovic to win Australian Open, career Grand SlamAt age 22, Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest male tennis player to win all four Grand Slam events.7 / 14See Alcaraz beat Djokovic to win Australian Open, career Grand SlamNovak Djokovic backhands a shot during the men's Australian Open singles final against Carlos Alcaraz.8 / 14See Alcaraz beat Djokovic to win Australian Open, career Grand SlamCarlos Alcaraz in action during the men's Australian Open singles final against Novak Djokovic.9 / 14See Alcaraz beat Djokovic to win Australian Open, career Grand SlamNovak Djokovic reacts during the men's Australian Open singles final against Carlos Alcaraz.10 / 14See Alcaraz beat Djokovic to win Australian Open, career Grand SlamCarlos Alcaraz reacts during the men's Australian Open singles final against Novak Djokovic.11 / 14See Alcaraz beat Djokovic to win Australian Open, career Grand SlamNovak Djokovic in action during the men's Australian Open singles final against Carlos Alcaraz.12 / 14See Alcaraz beat Djokovic to win Australian Open, career Grand SlamCarlos Alcaraz in action during the men's Australian Open singles final against Novak Djokovic.13 / 14See Alcaraz beat Djokovic to win Australian Open, career Grand SlamNovak Djokovic returns during the men's Australian Open singles final against Carlos Alcaraz.14 / 14See Alcaraz beat Djokovic to win Australian Open, career Grand SlamCarlos Alcaraz reacts during the men's Australian Open singles final against Novak DjokovicAMERICAN RISING: Ben Shelton joins Andre Agassi on exclusive list after win in Munich
"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 the court," Alcaraz wrote in the Instagram post. "This is a difficult time for me, but I am sure we will come out of it stronger."
Concerns about Alcaraz's wrist injury began to grow last week when he had to withdraw from the Madrid Open after winning his first-round match. He cited initial tests that revealed the wrist issue was more serious than first thought and expressed uncertainty about his status for Roland Garros in subsequent interviews.
Alcaraz is currently ranked No. 2 in the world behind Sinner after losing to Sinner in the finals at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this month, but Alcaraz has won three of the past four Grand Slam events in men's tennis.