Alcaraz Withdraws from Barcelona Open Due to Wrist Injury

Carlos Alcaraz has pulled out of the Barcelona Open due to a more severe wrist injury than initially anticipated. The Spaniard, who was attempting to regain his world No 1 ranking, won his first match but struggled with wrist pain and was set to face Tomas Machac in the second round. Following a medical examination, Alcaraz decided to withdraw from the tournament, citing the need to prioritize his health and avoid exacerbating the injury. This setback may impact his preparation for the defense of his French Open title, which begins on May 24. Meanwhile, British No 1 Cameron Norrie advanced to the quarter-finals in Barcelona, while Katie Boulter progressed to the last eight on the WTA Tour. Novak Djokovic has also announced his return to action at the Mutua Madrid Open, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis from April 21 to May 3.