Two-time defending French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz has been ruled out of Roland Garros after learning the extent of his recent wrist injury. While Alex de Minaur has been dealt a fresh setback in a difficult start to his season after going down in straight-sets in his opening match at the Madrid Open.
The tennis world was left shattered when Alcaraz confirmed the news many fans had feared ahead of his French Open defence. The Spaniard was chasing a hat-trick of titles at Roland Garros this year but has been forced to abandon his grand slam plans after learning the results from recent tests on his troublesome wrist.
Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz (L) has withdrawn from the French Open, while Alex de Minaur (R) lost in straight-sets in his opening match at the Madrid Open. Pic: Getty
The issue forced the 22-year-old to pull out of his second-round clash at the Barcelona Open earlier this month. And Alcaraz also withdrew from the Madrid Open after revealing the injury was worse than first thought and that he was trying to prioritise his long-term health.
And the seven-time major winner has now confirmed that he’ll miss the upcoming Italian Open and his French Open defence, in a devastating blow for the Spaniard. “After the results of the tests carried out today, we have decided that the most prudent thing is to be cautious and not participate in Rome and Roland Garros, while we wait to assess the evolution to decide when we will return to the court,” Alcaraz said in a statement.
“This is a difficult time for me, but I am sure we will come out of it stronger… I have a long career ahead of me. Forcing for Roland Garros could penalise me enormously in the future.”
Carlos Alcaraz’s (L) withdrawal from the French Open leaves World No.1 Jannik Sinner R) as a massive favourite to win his fifth career major at Roland Garros. Pic: Getty
(Jean Catuffe via Getty Images)
The devastating news comes just days after Alcaraz took out the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, following an ATP Tour-leading eight titles in a standout 2025 season. That included majors at Roland Garros and the US Open, before Alcaraz won this year’s Australian Open title to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.
Tennis world saddened as Carlos Alcaraz out of French Open
His absence from Roland Garros leaves World No.1 Jannik Sinner as a massive favourite to claim his fifth grand slam title at the French Open, which kicks off in three weeks. But the Italian shared the disappointment of the tennis world when asked about Alcaraz’s injury blow.
“Tennis needs Carlos – tennis is a much better sport when he’s around,” Sinner said after beating Benjamin Bonzi in his opening match at the Madrid Open. “I do believe he’s going to come back stronger than before, but injuries are always tough, especially a wrist.”
Alex de Minaur suffers crushing loss to 19-year-old in Madrid
Meanwhile, de Minaur has suffered another demoralising defeat after going down to 19-year-old Rafael Jodar in straight-sets at the Madrid Open. The Aussie fifth seed had a free passage to the second round but he was no match for the young Spaniard, who has been dubbed by some as the ‘new Alcaraz’.
Jodar blew the Aussie away in a one-sided 6-3 6-1 demolition that lasted just 75 minutes. It was the teenager’s first victory over a top-10 opponent, with Jodar breaking de Minaur’s serve on six occasions to continue the Aussie’s underwhelming run of form just weeks out from the French Open. Since winning the Rotterdam Open in February, de Minaur has now suffered early exits in Acapulco, Indian Wells, Miami, Barcelona and Madrid, with his quarter-final run at Monte Carlo a rare bright spot.
with AAP