Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have withdrawn from the Mutua Madrid Open due to injuries. Alcaraz, ranked second in the world, is still recovering from a wrist injury, while Djokovic is dealing with a lingering shoulder issue. The Spanish player was forced to pull out of the tournament in Barcelona before his next match and will now miss the biggest tournament in his home country, which begins on April 21.
Alcaraz expressed his disappointment on social media, stating that it hurts to not be able to play in front of his home crowd. With Alcaraz out, Jannik Sinner is likely to become the top seed at the French Open and potentially the world's number one until the end of Wimbledon. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, announced his withdrawal from the Madrid Open on social media, citing his ongoing recovery.
He will now focus on preparing for the French Open, which starts on May 24. Other players, including Taylor Fritz and Britain's Jacob Fearnley, have also withdrawn from the tournament.
Meanwhile, Rafael Jodar has reached the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open, becoming the fifth Spanish teenager to achieve this feat in the Open Era.