Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have both been forced to withdraw from the Mutua Madrid Open due to ongoing injury issues. Alcaraz, currently ranked second in the world, is still recovering from a wrist injury, while Djokovic is dealing with a persistent shoulder problem that has hindered his return to competition.
The news comes as a significant blow to the tournament, particularly for Alcaraz, who considers Madrid one of the most important events on his calendar. In a social media post, Alcaraz expressed his disappointment, stating that it 'hurts so much not to be able to play here for the second year in a row.' With Alcaraz's withdrawal, Jannik Sinner is likely to become the top seed at the French Open and potentially claim the world No 1 spot until the end of Wimbledon. Meanwhile, Djokovic announced his decision to withdraw from the Madrid Open on social media, citing his ongoing recovery and aiming to return to competition soon. Other players, including Taylor Fritz, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, and Britain's Jacob Fearnley, have also withdrawn from the tournament.
The draw for the Madrid Open is set to take place on Monday, while Djokovic will be looking to claim a record 25th Grand Slam title when the French Open begins on May 24.