Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have both announced their withdrawal from the Mutua Madrid Open after sustaining injuries that prevent them from competing. The Spanish prodigy, currently ranked world No.
2, is still nursing a wrist problem, while the Serbian veteran continues to battle a persistent shoulder issue that has kept him off the court for several weeks. Alcaraz’s latest setback came after his first‑round triumph over Finland’s Otto Virtanen at the Barcelona Open. The Spaniard required medical attention following the match and, despite securing the win, decided to pull out of the Madrid event before his next scheduled clash with Tomas Machac.
In a heartfelt post on social media, Alcaraz explained how painful it was to miss the tournament that holds a special place in his calendar. "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.
He added that the disappointment was amplified by the fact that he would not be able to perform in front of his Spanish fans, a crowd that has shown him unwavering support. "Thank you for the unwavering affection, and I hope we see each other soon," he concluded.
The withdrawal of the young Spaniard has significant implications for the upcoming Grand Slam season. With Alcariz out of the Madrid draw, Jannik Sinner is now virtually guaranteed to be the top seed at the French Open and is expected to hold the world No. 1 ranking at least through the end of Wimbledon, assuming he maintains his form. Novak Djokovic, the 38‑year‑old Serbian, also confirmed that he will not be taking part in the Madrid Open.
The Serbian champion has been dealing with a right‑shoulder injury that forced him out of the Miami Open and caused him to miss the Monte‑Carlo Masters. After a loss to Alcaraz in the Australian Open final and an early exit at Indian Wells, Djokovic’s schedule has been heavily disrupted. In an Instagram statement he wrote, "Madrid, unfortunately I won't be able to compete this year. I'm continuing my recovery in order to be back soon." Djokovic’s absence removes a major contender from the field and shifts the balance of power toward the younger generation of players.
Other notable withdrawals include Taylor Fritz, France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, and Britain’s Jacob Fearnley, leaving the draw more open than anticipated. The tournament’s organizers are set to release the revised bracket on Monday, but the absence of several top‑ranked players will undoubtedly affect the competition’s dynamics. The injuries have also impacted other players preparing for the clay‑court season. Britain’s Jack Draper, who suffered a knee injury during his opening match in Barcelona, is now in a race to regain fitness before the Spanish capital’s event.
Meanwhile, Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar secured his second straight victory over Cameron Norrie at the Barcelona Open, advancing to the semi‑finals with a 6‑3, 6‑2 win. Jodar’s run makes him only the fifth Spanish teenager in the Open Era to reach the Barcelona semi‑finals, joining the likes of Alex Corretja, Carlos Moya, Rafael Nadal, and Carlos Alcaraz. Jodar, now 19, will aim to book his second tour‑level final when he meets ninth‑seed Arthur Fils, who recently upset second‑seed Lorenzo Musetti to reach the same stage.
On the women’s side, Katie Boulter was defeated by Veronika Podrez in straight sets (6‑4, 6‑1) in the quarter‑finals in Rouen. Both Alcaraz and Djokovic will be looking ahead to the French Open, which begins on May 24.
Djokovic, in particular, hopes to capture a record 25th Grand Slam title on the red clay of Roland Garros. Alcaraz, once fully recovered, will also target a deep run at the tournament, hoping to defend the points he earned last year and maintain his position near the top of the rankings. Fans can continue to follow the ATP and WTA tours via Sky Sports, the NOW streaming service, or the Sky Sports app, which offers expanded live‑sport coverage for subscribers. For those interested in watching highlights, match replays, and exclusive video content, these platforms provide a convenient way to stay up‑to‑date with the latest developments in professional tennis.