In a major setback for the tennis world, Carlos Alcaraz has officially withdrawn from French Open 2026 due to a right wrist injury, ruling him out of defending his title.

The Spanish star confirmed the decision on Friday after medical tests revealed tendon inflammation along with cartilage damage in his wrist. The injury first appeared during the Barcelona Open earlier this month and has worsened since then.

After consulting with his medical team, Alcaraz decided to prioritize recovery instead of risking further damage. As a result, he will also miss the Italian Open, effectively ending his participation in the entire clay-court season at the top level.

In a statement shared on X, Alcaraz said the decision was difficult but necessary. He explained that the focus is now on recovery and monitoring his progress before deciding on a return date. He also expressed confidence about coming back stronger.

Tournament organizers at Roland-Garros reacted with an emotional message, wishing the two-time defending champion a speedy recovery and acknowledging that he will be missed this year.

Alcaraz’s absence will have a major impact on the ATP rankings. As the defending champion in both Rome and Paris, he is expected to lose around 3,000 ranking points, which could significantly affect the top rankings in the coming weeks.

The 21-year-old was aiming for a third consecutive French Open title after winning back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025. His 2025 final victory against Jannik Sinner, where he saved three championship points in a match lasting over five and a half hours, is already considered one of the greatest in tournament history.

With Alcaraz out, the focus now shifts to world No. 1 Sinner and Alexander Zverev, both of whom will see a big opportunity on clay this season.

However, the absence of the defending champion will leave a noticeable gap, making this year’s French Open a very different tournament.