Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have both announced that they will not be competing in this year’s Mutua Madrid Open because of ongoing injury concerns. The Spanish prodigy, who is currently ranked world No. 2, is still nursing a wrist problem that has kept him off the court, while the Serbian legend continues to grapple with a persistent shoulder issue that has prevented him from returning to full match fitness.
Alcaraz’s withdrawal came after he secured a straight‑sets win over Finland’s Otto Virtanen in the first round of the Barcelona Open. Despite receiving medical treatment on‑court, the young Spaniard decided to pull out of the Madrid event before his next scheduled match against Tomas Machac. In a heartfelt post on social media, Alcaraz explained how difficult it was to miss the tournament that feels like a second home to him.
“Madrid is home, one of the most special places on my calendar, and that’s why it hurts so much not to be able to play here for the second year in a row,” he wrote. “It hurts especially not to be in front of my people, in a tournament that means so much. Thank you for the unwavering affection, and I hope we see each other soon.” His absence reshapes the draw dramatically.
With the world No. 2 out, Jannik Sinner is now virtually assured of being the top seed at the upcoming French Open and is likely to hold the world No. 1 ranking through Wimbledon, assuming he continues his strong form. Djokovic’s situation is similarly grim.
The 38‑year‑old Serbian has been battling a right‑shoulder injury that forced him to withdraw from the Miami Open and skip the Monte‑Carlo Masters. After a loss to Alcaraz in the Australian Open final and an early exit at Indian Wells at the hands of Jack Draper, Djokovic confirmed via Instagram that he will also miss the Madrid Open. “Madrid, unfortunately I won’t be able to compete this year. I’m continuing my recovery in order to be back soon,” he posted.
The three‑time Madrid champion’s decision means he will have to focus on rehabilitation ahead of the French Open, where he hopes to chase a record 25th Grand Slam title. The injury list for Madrid extends beyond the two stars. British hopeful Jacob Fearnley, Frenchman Taylor Fritz, and French rising talent Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard have also withdrawn, leaving the tournament’s draw to be finalized on Monday. In addition, Britain’s Jack Draper, who suffered a knee injury during his opening match in Barcelona, is racing against the clock to be fit for the Spanish capital’s event.
While the men’s draw suffers, the Barcelona Open provided a bright spot for Spanish teenage sensation Rafael Jodar. The 19‑year‑old claimed his second consecutive victory over Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the quarter‑finals, cruising to a 6‑3, 6‑2 win and extending his winning streak to eight matches. Jodar’s triumph marks him as only the fifth Spanish teenager in the Open Era to reach the Barcelona semi‑finals, joining the likes of Alex Corretja (1994), Carlos Moya (1996), Rafael Nadal (2005, 2006) and Carlos Alcaraz (2022, 2023).
He now prepares to face ninth‑seed Arthur Fils, who advanced after upsetting second‑seed Lorenzo Musetti, in what promises to be a compelling semi‑final clash. On the women’s side, British player Katie Boulter was eliminated in the quarter‑finals of the Rouen tournament, falling 6‑4, 6‑1 to Veronika Podrez. The loss underscores the depth of competition across both the ATP and WTA tours as players contend with injuries, schedule congestion, and the relentless pursuit of ranking points.
Looking ahead, the tennis calendar remains packed. The French Open is slated to begin on May 24, and both Alcaraz and Djokovic will be hoping to return to peak condition in time for the clay‑court major. Alcaraz’s wrist injury, while still present, is expected to improve with a carefully managed rehabilitation program, while Djokovic’s shoulder will likely require a longer period of physiotherapy and gradual on‑court work.
Fans can continue to follow the action through Sky Sports Tennis, which will broadcast the remaining matches live, and through streaming services such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, which promise expanded live coverage for subscribers. The ongoing withdrawals highlight the physical toll that elite tennis takes on its top players, and they serve as a reminder of the importance of injury prevention and recovery in a sport that demands both endurance and precision. In summary, the Mutua Madrid Open will proceed without two of its biggest attractions. Alcaraz’s wrist and Djokovic’s shoulder have forced both to prioritize health over competition, leaving a reshaped field that offers opportunities for emerging talents like Jodar and Sinner to make their mark.
The tennis world will be watching closely as the season progresses toward the French Open, hoping that the injured stars can return stronger and ready to contest the next Grand Slam titles.