Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have both withdrawn from the Mutua Madrid Open, each sidelined by injury concerns. The world No. 2 Spaniard is still nursing a wrist problem, while the 38‑year‑old Serbian is battling a lingering shoulder issue that has kept him out of recent events and prevents a timely return to competition.
Alcaraz’s injury saga began earlier this month when he required medical attention after his first‑round triumph over Finland’s Otto Virtanen at the Barcelona Open. Although he managed to secure the win, the wrist pain persisted, and the young Spaniard made the difficult decision to pull out of Madrid before his scheduled second‑round clash with Tomas Machac. In a heartfelt post on social media, Alcaraz expressed his disappointment, noting that Madrid feels like home and is one of the most special stops on his calendar. "It hurts especially not to be in front of my people, in a tournament that means so much," he wrote, thanking fans for their unwavering support and hoping to return soon.
The withdrawal has significant implications for the upcoming French Open. With Alcariz out of the Madrid draw, Jannik Sinner is poised to become the top seed at Roland Garros and is likely to hold the world No.
1 ranking through Wimbledon, assuming he maintains his form. The ripple effect of Alcaraz’s absence also reshapes the seedings and potential match‑ups for the clay‑court season, giving other contenders a clearer path. Djokovic’s situation is similarly fraught. After a loss to Alcaraz in the Australian Open final and an early exit at Indian Wells at the hands of Jack Draper, the Serbian champion withdrew from the Miami Open because of a right‑shoulder injury.
He then skipped the Monte‑Carlo Masters, opting to travel to Spain for a brief preparation period before the Madrid tournament. However, in an Instagram statement, Djokovic confirmed he would not compete in Madrid, citing ongoing recovery from his shoulder problem. "Madrid, unfortunately I won't be able to compete this year.
I'm continuing my recovery in order to be back soon," he wrote. Djokovic’s absence from Madrid adds another twist to the clay‑court narrative. The Serbian legend, a 24‑time Grand Slam winner, will be aiming for a record 25th major title at the French Open, which begins on May 24. His decision to sit out Madrid underscores the seriousness of his shoulder issue and highlights the challenges he faces in regaining full fitness before the next Grand Slam.
The Madrid Open draw also lost several other players. British hopeful Jacob Fearnley, American Taylor Fritz, and Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard all withdrew, leaving the field more open than anticipated. The tournament’s schedule, originally set to start on April 21 and broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis, now proceeds without these high‑profile names.
In other Spanish tennis news, 19‑year‑old Rafael Jodar secured his second straight victory over Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the Barcelona Open quarter‑finals, winning 6‑3, 6‑2 and extending his streak to eight consecutive matches. Jodar’s win marks him as 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.
He will next face ninth seed Arthur Fils, who advanced after defeating second seed Lorenzo Musetti. Meanwhile, British player Katie Boulter suffered a straight‑sets defeat to Veronika Podrez, 6‑4, 6‑1, in the quarter‑finals of the tournament in Rouen. These results illustrate the depth of talent emerging on the ATP and WTA tours as the clay season intensifies.
For fans looking to follow the action, matches and highlights remain available through Sky Sports’ streaming platforms, including the NOW service and the Sky Sports app, which promise expanded live coverage for subscribers. The ongoing injuries to Alcaraz and Djokovic serve as a reminder of the physical toll of the sport, especially as players transition from the hard‑court swing to the demanding clay season. Both athletes have expressed optimism about returning to form, but their recoveries will be closely monitored in the weeks leading up to the French Open, where the stakes—and the potential for historic achievements—remain incredibly high.