PARIS — Carlos Alcaraz announced he will not play at the 2026 French Open as he recovers from a right wrist injury. The decision also ruled the Spaniard out of the Italian Open in Rome.

"We have decided that the most prudent thing to do is to be cautious and not participate in Rome or Roland Garros," Alcaraz said on social media. He said the decision to end his clay season was made after test results on his right wrist, adding: "This is a difficult time for me, but I'm sure we will come out of it stronger."

Alcaraz sustained the injury during the first round of the Barcelona Open, where he beat Otto Virtanen before withdrawing from the tournament. He announced his withdrawal from the Madrid Masters on April 17, 2026. He and his team would monitor his recovery before deciding when and where he would return. On Monday, he said: "I'd rather come back maybe a bit later, but in great shape, than come back quickly and risk making this injury worse." He added: "I hope it's nothing serious, but I need to fully recover if I don't want this to cause me problems in the future."

The 2026 French Open will run from May 24 to June 7. Alcaraz won the tournament in 2024 and 2025, saving three championship points against Jannik Sinner in last year's final, the longest in the tournament's history. He will miss just the second Grand Slam since his main draw debut at the 2021 Australian Open, having withdrawn from the 2023 edition in Melbourne with a hamstring injury.

In January 2026, Alcaraz became the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam with his Australian Open triumph. He also won a title in Doha in 2026 and holds a 22-3 win-loss record this season. Ranked second in the world, he lost the world number one ranking following his defeat by Sinner in the Monte Carlo Masters final on April 12, 2026.

After winning a second-round match at the Madrid Open, Sinner said: "It is very sad news, I was not expecting it, but he and his team know very well [what they are doing]." He added: "It's sad news for all of us, me being a competitor you want to play against the best players in the world, and he's definitely the best player on this surface."

Sinner, who has never won the French Open, said he hoped Alcaraz would be back playing by the time Wimbledon arrives. "Hopefully, he can be back for Wimbledon, and we all hope for great battles in the future," he said.