Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have both withdrawn from the Mutua Madrid Open after sustaining injuries that prevent them from competing. The Spanish prodigy, who is currently ranked world No.
2, is still nursing a wrist problem, while the Serbian legend continues to battle a persistent shoulder issue that has kept him out of recent tournaments and is not yet resolved enough for a return. Alcaraz’s injury saga began at the Barcelona Open, where he secured a first‑round win over Finland’s Otto Virtanen before receiving medical attention for his wrist.
Although he managed to finish the match, the Spaniard announced he would pull out of the Madrid event before his next scheduled encounter with Tomas Machac. In a heartfelt post on social media, Alcariz wrote, “There are some news that are incredibly hard to share. 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. 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 means that the tournament’s draw will be reshaped, and it also has broader implications for the upcoming Grand Slam calendar. With Alcaraz out, Jannik Sinner is poised to become the top seed at the French Open and is likely to retain the world No. 1 ranking through Wimbledon, assuming he stays healthy.
Novak Djokovic, the 38‑year‑old Serbian, also confirmed that he will not compete in Madrid. He has been dealing with a right‑shoulder injury that forced him to miss the Miami Open and the Monte‑Carlo Masters earlier this season.
After a loss to Alcaraz in the Australian Open final and an early exit at Indian Wells at the hands of Jack Draper, Djokovic’s schedule was further disrupted by the shoulder problem. He announced his withdrawal via Instagram, stating, “Madrid, unfortunately I won’t be able to compete this year.
I’m continuing my recovery in order to be back soon.” Djokovic’s decision adds to a growing list of withdrawals from the Spanish capital. British players Jacob Fearnley, Taylor Fritz, and France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard also pulled out, leaving the tournament’s draw to be finalized on Monday.
The Serbian champion will be looking ahead to the French Open, which begins on May 24, where he hopes to chase a record 25th Grand Slam title. The injury toll extends beyond the two headline names.
Britain’s Jack Draper, who suffered a knee injury during his opening match in Barcelona, is also racing to recover in time for Madrid. Meanwhile, young Spaniard Rafael Jodar continued his impressive run in Barcelona, defeating Cameron Norrie 6‑3, 6‑2 in the quarter‑finals to extend his winning streak to eight matches. Jodar’s victory marked 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.
Jodar will now face ninth‑seed Arthur Fils, who upset second‑seed Lorenzo Musetti to reach the semi‑finals, in what promises to be a compelling contest for a place in his second tour‑level final. On the women’s side, Katie Boulter was beaten by Veronika Podrez 6‑4, 6‑1 in the quarter‑finals in Rouen, highlighting the depth of competition across both tours.
The withdrawals have sparked discussion about the physical demands of the modern tennis calendar. Players are often required to transition quickly between hard‑court, clay, and grass events, which can exacerbate lingering injuries. Alcaraz’s wrist issue, for instance, originated on the slower clay surface of Barcelona but has persisted into the early spring clay swing, while Djokovic’s shoulder problem has been aggravated by the high‑intensity matches of the ATP Masters 1000 series. Fans can still follow the remaining action through Sky Sports Tennis, which will broadcast the Madrid Open live from April 21, and streaming platforms such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, offering additional coverage and highlights.
The tournament’s organizers hope that the remaining field will deliver exciting matches despite the high‑profile absences. In summary, the Madrid Open will proceed without two of the sport’s biggest stars.
Alcaraz’s wrist and Djokovic’s shoulder injuries have forced both to withdraw, reshaping the competitive landscape and providing opportunities for emerging talents like Jodar and Sinner to make deeper runs. The tennis community will be watching closely as both athletes continue their rehabilitation, aiming to return to form for the upcoming French Open and the rest of the season.