Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have both announced that they will not compete in the Mutua Madrid Open because of ongoing injury problems. The Spanish teenager, who is currently ranked world No. 2, is still nursing a wrist ailment that forced him to miss several matches earlier in the season. Meanwhile, the 38‑year‑old Serbian veteran is battling a persistent shoulder issue that has kept him out of recent tournaments in Miami and Monte Carlo, and he is not yet fit enough to return to competition.
Alcaraz’s withdrawal came after he received medical treatment during his first‑round win over Finland's Otto Virtanen at the Barcelona Open. Although he secured the victory, the Spaniard decided to pull out of the Madrid event before his next scheduled match against Tomas Machac. In a heartfelt post on social media, Alcaraz explained how difficult the news was for him.
"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 pain was especially acute because he would have been playing in front of his own supporters at a tournament that holds great personal significance. He thanked fans for their unwavering affection and expressed hope that he would be back on court soon. Alcaraz’s absence reshapes the competitive landscape for the upcoming Grand Slam events.
With the Spaniard out of the Madrid Open, Jannik Sinner is now the overwhelming favorite to claim the top seed at the French Open and is likely to hold the world No. 1 ranking through Wimbledon, assuming he maintains his current form. Novak Djokovic also confirmed via Instagram that he will miss the Madrid Open. The Serbian star has been dealing with a right‑shoulder injury that forced him to withdraw from the Miami Open and skip the Monte‑Carlo Masters.
After losing to Alcaraz in the Australian Open final in February and suffering a fourth‑round defeat to Jack Draper at Indian Wells, Djokovic’s schedule has been heavily disrupted. In his 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 goal remains to chase a record 25th Grand Slam title at the French Open, which begins on May 24. Other players have also withdrawn from the Madrid draw. American Taylor Fritz, Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, and Britain's Jacob Fearnley have all pulled out, leaving the tournament field more open than initially anticipated. The draw for the Madrid Open is set to be released on Monday, and fans will be watching closely to see how the remaining seeds adjust their strategies.
In related news from the Barcelona Open, Spanish youngster Rafael Jodar secured his second consecutive victory over British player Cameron Norrie in the quarter‑finals, winning 6‑3, 6‑2. The win extended Jodar’s streak to eight matches and highlighted his growing stature on the ATP Tour. Jodar’s performance in Barcelona marks him as only the fifth Spanish teenager in the Open Era to reach the semi‑finals of the event, joining the ranks of Alex Corretja (1994), Carlos Moya (1996), Rafael Nadal (2005, 2006) and Carlos Alcaraz (2022, 2023).
The 19‑year‑old will now face ninth‑seed Arthur Fils, who advanced after defeating second‑seed Lorenzo Musetti, in a semi‑final clash that could see Jodar vie for his second tour‑level final. On the women’s side, British player Katie Boulter was defeated by Veronika Podrez in straight sets (6‑4, 6‑1) in the quarter‑finals of the tournament in Rouen, ending her run in that event. The withdrawals of Alcaraz and Djokovic have sparked a broader conversation about player health and the demanding schedule of the ATP and WTA tours.
Both athletes have emphasized the importance of proper recovery, especially after the grueling clay‑court season that begins in early April. Medical teams and coaches are working closely with the players to ensure that they return to competition fully healed, as premature returns could risk longer‑term damage. Fans can still follow the ongoing action through various broadcast options. Sky Sports Tennis will provide live coverage of the remaining matches, and the Sky Sports app offers additional video highlights, scores, and news updates.
For those seeking a streaming alternative, the NOW platform also carries live tennis coverage without a contract, giving viewers flexibility in how they watch the sport. Looking ahead, the tennis community will be watching the French Open with heightened anticipation. With Alcaraz sidelined and Djokovic still on the mend, the field is wide open for emerging talents to make deep runs.
Players like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz’s fellow Spaniard Rafael Jodar, and other rising stars will have the opportunity to seize momentum and possibly claim major titles. The upcoming weeks will be crucial for both injured veterans and hungry newcomers as they prepare for the clay‑court swing that culminates in Roland Garros.