Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have both withdrawn from the Mutua Madrid Open after sustaining injuries that prevented them from competing. The Spanish teenager, who is currently ranked world No.
2, is still recuperating from a wrist problem, while the 38‑year‑old Serbian legend continues to battle a lingering shoulder issue that has kept him out of recent tournaments and has not yet healed enough for a return to the court. Alcaraz had to abandon his Madrid campaign after receiving medical attention during his opening‑round win over Finland's Otto Virtanen at the Barcelona Open. He pulled out before his next scheduled match against Czech player Tomáš Machác, citing the need to protect his wrist and avoid aggravating the injury. The young Spaniard expressed deep disappointment on social media, noting that Madrid feels like a second home and that missing the event for a second consecutive year is especially painful because of the strong connection he feels with the local fans.
"There are some news that are incredibly hard to share," he wrote, adding that he hopes to return soon and thanking supporters for their unwavering affection. Alcariz's absence reshapes the draw in Madrid and has broader implications for the upcoming Grand Slam season. With the Spaniard out, Italy's Jannik Sinner is now the clear favorite to be the top seed at Roland Garros and is likely to hold the world No. 1 ranking through the Wimbledon Championships, assuming he maintains his current form.
In parallel, Novak Djokovic announced via Instagram that he will also miss the Madrid Open. The Serbian has been coping with 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, Djokovic has been focusing on rehabilitation rather than competition.
"Madrid, unfortunately I won't be able to compete this year. I'm continuing my recovery in order to be back soon," he posted, confirming that his priority is a full recovery ahead of the French Open, where he hopes to chase a record 25th Grand Slam title.
Other notable withdrawals from the Madrid field include Americans Taylor Fritz and Britain's Jacob Fearnley, as well as Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Their absences further open the draw for lower‑ranked players to make deeper runs. The tournament's first round is set to begin on Monday, and the revised lineup will likely produce unexpected match‑ups and opportunities for emerging talent. The injury saga extends beyond the Spanish capital.
Britain's Jack Draper, who suffered a knee injury during his opening match in Barcelona, is also racing against the clock to be fit for Madrid, though his participation now looks doubtful. Meanwhile, Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar secured his second consecutive victory at the Barcelona Open by defeating Britain's Cameron Norrie 6‑3, 6‑2 in the quarter‑finals, extending his winning streak to eight matches. Jodar's impressive 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 will aim to book his second tour‑level final when he faces ninth‑seed Arthur Fils, who advanced after upsetting second‑seed Lorenzo Musetti. In the women's draw, Britain's Katie Boulter was eliminated by Veronika Podrez in straight sets (6‑4, 6‑1) in the quarter‑finals in Rouen. The withdrawals of Alcaraz and Djokovic underscore the physical toll that the modern tennis calendar imposes on top players, especially as they transition from the hard‑court swing in the United States to the clay season in Europe.
Both athletes have spoken about the importance of managing their bodies to ensure longevity, and their decisions to sit out Madrid reflect a strategic approach to preserve health for the more prestigious Grand Slam events. Fans can still follow the tournament through live broadcasts on Sky Sports Tennis, the Sky Sports app, or streaming via NOW, which offers additional coverage at no extra cost for Sky Sports subscribers.
The revised draw promises a mix of seasoned veterans and hungry youngsters eager to capitalize on the open field, making the Madrid Open an intriguing preview of the battles that will unfold at Roland Garros later this month.