Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have withdrawn from the Mutua Madrid Open due to ongoing injuries. Alcaraz, ranked second in the world, is still recovering from a wrist injury, while Djokovic is dealing with a persistent shoulder issue. The Spaniard was forced to pull out of the Barcelona tournament before his scheduled match against Tomas Machac after receiving medical attention during his first-round win over Otto Virtanen.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, announced his withdrawal on social media, stating he is continuing his recovery 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 Other players, including Taylor Fritz, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, and Britain's Jacob Fearnley, have also withdrawn from the tournament.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 Madrid Open is set to begin on April 21, and the draw will take place on Monday. Alcaraz expressed his disappointment on social media, saying it hurts not to 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 is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title when the French Open starts on May 24.