Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have both announced that they will not compete in the Mutua Madrid Open after suffering from injuries that have kept them off the court. The Spanish teenager, who is currently ranked No.
2 in the world, is still nursing a wrist problem that has limited his ability to train and play. The Serbian veteran, a 38‑year‑old former world No. 1, continues to battle a persistent shoulder issue that has already forced him to miss several key tournaments earlier in the season.
Alcaraz’s withdrawal came shortly after he completed his first‑round match in Barcelona, where he defeated Finland’s Otto Virtanen. During that match he required medical attention for his wrist, and the team decided it was safest for him to pull out of the Madrid event before his next scheduled encounter with Tomas Machac. In a heartfelt post on social media, the young Spaniard 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 words underscored the emotional weight of missing a tournament that he considers a personal highlight each year.
Djokovic’s situation is similarly disappointing for fans. The Serbian legend, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles, revealed via Instagram that he will also sit out the Madrid Open. He explained that he is still working through the same shoulder injury that forced him to withdraw from the Miami Open and skip the Monte‑Carlo Masters.
Earlier in the year, Djokovic had reached the Australian Open final, where he was beaten by Alcaraz, and he suffered a fourth‑round loss to Jack Draper at Indian Wells before pulling out of Miami. His ongoing rehabilitation means he will miss the chance to compete in Spain and will instead focus on returning to full fitness for the upcoming French Open, where he hopes to chase a record 25th major title.
The absence of both Alcariz and Djokovic reshapes the competitive landscape of the Madrid Open and has broader implications for the rest of the clay‑court season. With the Spaniard out, 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 Wimbledon, assuming he maintains his form. Other notable withdrawals include Taylor Fritz, France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, and Britain’s Jacob Fearnley, further thinning the draw and opening opportunities for lower‑ranked players to make deeper runs.
In related news from the Barcelona Open, 19‑year‑old Rafael Jodar secured his second consecutive victory over Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the quarter‑finals, winning 6‑3, 6‑2 and extending his winning streak to eight matches. Jodar’s performance places him among an elite group of Spanish teenagers who have reached the Barcelona semi‑finals in the Open Era, joining the likes of Alex Corretja, Carlos Moya, Rafael Nadal, and Carlos Alcaraz.
He will now face ninth‑seed Arthur Fils, who advanced after defeating second‑seed Lorenzo Musetti, in a match that could see Jodar contest his second tour‑level final. Meanwhile, on the women’s side, Britain’s Katie Boulter was defeated by Veronika Podrez in straight sets (6‑4, 6‑1) in the quarter‑finals of the tournament in Rouen, highlighting the depth of competition across both tours. The withdrawals have also prompted broadcasters to remind viewers of alternative ways to watch tennis. Sky Sports continues to provide live coverage of ATP and WTA events, and subscribers can stream matches via the NOW platform or the Sky Sports app, which promises more than 50 percent additional live sport at no extra charge for customers.
Fans are encouraged to use Chrome for the best video player experience. Looking ahead, both Alcaraz and Djokovic will aim to return to peak condition for the French Open, which begins on May 24. Alcaraz hopes to recover fully from his wrist injury and defend his rising status on clay, while Djokovic is focused on rehabilitating his shoulder to mount another challenge for the coveted 25th Grand Slam title.
Their absences from Madrid underscore the physical toll that the demanding tennis calendar can exact, and they serve as a reminder that even the sport’s biggest stars must sometimes prioritize health over competition.