Both Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have pulled out of the Mutua Madrid Open due to injury, dealing a blow to the tournament’s star power ahead of its April 21 start.
Alcaraz, the world No. 2, is sidelined with a wrist problem. He required treatment during his opening-round win over Otto Virtanen in Barcelona and withdrew before his next scheduled match against Tomas Machac. The Spaniard said on social media that missing Madrid — “home” and one of his most meaningful events — is especially painful, thanked fans for their support and expressed hope to return soon. This is the second consecutive year he will miss the home event.
Djokovic is also absent as he continues to manage a persistent right shoulder issue that already kept him out of Miami and Monte Carlo. The 38-year-old, who met Alcaraz in the Australian Open final and fell to Jack Draper at Indian Wells, confirmed on Instagram that he will not compete in Madrid while he focuses on recovery and aims to be ready for upcoming majors.
Other notable withdrawals include Taylor Fritz, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.
Alcaraz’s absence has immediate ranking and seeding implications: Jannik Sinner is poised to be the top seed at Roland Garros and could hold the world No. 1 spot through at least Wimbledon unless further changes occur. Djokovic remains an active contender for a record 25th Grand Slam when the French Open begins on May 24, but his participation will depend on how his shoulder responds to treatment.
Britain’s Jack Draper is also dealing with fitness concerns after retiring from his first match in Barcelona this week because of a knee problem.
Elsewhere in Barcelona, Rafael Jodar beat Cameron Norrie 6-3 6-2 in quarter-final action, extending his winning streak to eight and becoming the fifth Spanish teenager in the Open Era to reach the Barcelona semi-finals; he will meet ninth seed Arthur Fils next. In Rouen, Katie Boulter was defeated 6-4 6-1 by Veronika Podrez in the quarter-finals.