Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic to miss Madrid Open amid injury concerns before French Open
Updated 17/04/2026 at 19:08 GMT+1
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Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will not compete at the forthcoming Madrid Open, the tournament has confirmed, amid ongoing injury concerns for both players.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Alcaraz was forced to withdraw from the Barcelona Open earlier this week because of a wrist injury.
And there will be growing concerns about the Spaniard's fitness as his bid to defend his French Open title at Roland-Garros - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max - draws near.
"Madrid is home, one of the most special places on the calendar for me, and that's why it hurts so much not to be able to play here for the second year in a row," the seven-time Grand Slam winner said in an Instagram post.
"It hurts especially not to be able to be in front of my fans, in a tournament that's so special to me. Thank you for your continued support, and I hope to see you soon."
Alcaraz is targeting a third successive French Open crown next month and the priority will be to fully recover in time for the Grand Slam.
"I felt my wrist give out on a return during the match. After the tests, we saw that it's a more serious injury than any of us expected, and I have to listen to my body so it doesn't affect me in the future," said Alcaraz in Barcelona.
"I have to go home to start my recovery as soon as possible with my team - the doctors, and the physical therapist - and get, or try to get, as healthy as possible as soon as possible for the tournaments I have coming up."
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Video credit: SNTV
Djokovic, meanwhile, is dealing with injury issues of his own.
The tournament's statement read: "Novak Djokovic, a three-time [Madrid Open] champion, will not be able to participate in this year’s tournament.
"We hope to see you back here as soon as possible so we can enjoy your tennis as we have done so many times in the Caja Magica."
The 24-time Grand Slam champion's most recent appearance came at Indian Wells last month, where he was beaten in the fourth round by Jack Draper.
Djokovic has won the Madrid Masters three times in his illustrious career, most recently in 2019, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.
He also confirmed the news via his own X account, writing: "Madrid, unfortunately I won’t be able to compete this year. I’m continuing my recovery in order to be back soon. Hasta pronto!"
The Serbian is expected to continue his build-up to Roland-Garros at the Italian Open in Rome, running between May 6 and 17.
Since a stunning run to the Australian Open final at the start of the year, Djokovic has struggled to gain a run of momentum.
He withdrew from the Monte-Carlo Masters that took place earlier in April, after also missing the Miami Open.
A shoulder injury has continued to trouble the 38-year-old and he is thought to be carefully choosing his next tournament participation in pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
Speaking after his aforementioned defeat to Draper at Indian Wells, Djokovic alluded to those injury struggles and said: "It’s a bit odd, the more I serve, the better I feel, but then it comes on and off if I get cold.
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"If I don’t serve for five or six minutes, then I feel like the first couple of serves of that game are a bit painful."
His last major came at the 2023 US Open, where the Serbian prevailed past Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, winning 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3.
He subsequently reached the 2024 Wimbledon final, losing to Alcaraz, before being defeated by the Spaniard again in Melbourne three months ago.
TNT Sports is the exclusive French Open broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. Coverage of every court will be available to stream live on HBO Max
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