Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Barcelona Open with wrist injury sparking fears over his participation at the French Open
Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Barcelona after hurting his wrist sparking fears over his participation at the French Open which runs from May 24 to June 7; Watch the ATP and WTA Tours live on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app
Wednesday 15 April 2026 17:54, UK
Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Barcelona Open due to a right wrist injury.
Alcaraz, who needed to win the tournament to regain the world No 1 ranking, won his opening match with a 6-4 6-2 win over Otto Virtanen but required medical treatment for wrist pain and was set to face Tomas Machac in the second round.
A two-time champion in Barcelona, Alcaraz had returned to competition just 48 hours after losing the Monte-Carlo Masters final to rival Jannik Sinner.
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The Spaniard trained at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on Wednesday but decided to pull out after undergoing a test on his right wrist.
Speaking to the press, Alcaraz said: "The truth is that it's strange and difficult to sit here for the second time, because I've done this before, and to say that I won't be able to continue in the tournament.
"As everyone could see yesterday in the match, after a return I felt like my wrist gave out and I started to feel discomfort that, little by little, kept increasing during the game.
"It's a situation that I thought I'd felt before and that wouldn't get worse, that it was simply discomfort from the effort of the entire week, but I saw today's exams and it's an injury a bit more serious than everyone expected.
"And the truth is that I have to listen to my body, listen to what's best for me and won't harm me in the future. And that's why I have to withdraw from this tournament, which for me has always been an exceptional tournament, a wonderful tournament, a super special tournament.
"Personally, I never like to give up on any tournament, but this one is especially important to me.
"I have to go back home to start recovery as quickly as possible with my team, with the doctors, with the physiotherapist, and try to be as healthy as possible, as quickly as possible, for the tournaments I have in the future.
"I hope you can see me back on a tennis court as soon as possible."
Alcaraz now faces a race to be fit for Madrid and Rome as he builds towards the defence of his French Open title, which begins in Paris on May 24.
Djokovic returns
In other news, Novak Djokovic has announced that he will return to action at the Mutua Madrid Open - live on Sky Sports Tennis from April 21-May 3.
The Serb is a three-time titlist, last lifting the trophy in 2019, but he has not competed on the ATP Tour since losing to Britain's Jack Draper at Indian Wells on March 12.
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
