April 24 (UPI) -- Carlos Alcaraz will not defend his crown at the 2026 French Open due to his right wrist injury, the Spaniard announced Friday on social media.
Alcaraz, the No. 2 player in the ATP Tour singles rankings, was attempting to become just the third player in history to win three consecutive titles at Roland Garros. The second Grand Slam tournament of the season will be held May 24 to June 7 in Paris.
Alcaraz, who was hurt earlier this month at the Barcelona Open, also announced that he will not play in the 2026 Italian Open, which begins Tuesday. He previously withdrew from the Madrid Open after competing in early rounds.
"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 on Instagram, X and Facebook.
"This is a difficult time for me, but I am sure we will come out of it stronger."
Alcaraz's beat No. 121 Otto Virtanen of Finland in straight sets in his last match April 14 in Barcelona. He withdrew before his Round of 16 meeting with No. 41 Tomas Machac of Czechia, who went on to lose to No. 12 Andrey Rublev of Russia in a quarterfinal.
Not playing in the French Open will be Alcaraz's first major absence since the 2023 Australian Open. He missed that Grand Slam with a right leg injury.
Alcaraz, the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon Champion, did not announce his status for the third Grand Slam of the season. The grass-court major will be held from June 29 to July 12 in London.
The final major, the 2026 U.S. Open, will be held Aug. 30 to Sept 13 in Flushing, N.Y. Alcaraz is the defending champion.