Alcaraz becomes the former Roland Garros champion

Carlos Alcaraz's withdrawal presents a clear opportunity for Jannik Sinner to complete his Career Grand Slam.

World number 2 Carlos Alcaraz officially confirmed he will not participate in Roland Garros 2026 due to not having fully recovered from a right wrist injury, ending hopes of defending his Grand Slam title on clay courts.

The information was announced by Alcaraz after completing the latest medical examinations. On social media, the 22-year-old player stated that he and his team made the decision "most cautiously" to not compete in both the Rome Masters and Roland Garros, in order to monitor the recovery process before determining a return date. "This is a difficult period, but I believe I will overcome it and return stronger.", he shared.

Carlitos' withdrawal is considered a significant loss for the second Grand Slam of the year, as he is the reigning champion for two consecutive years. Simultaneously, this also substantially alters the landscape of this year's Roland Garros race. Jannik Sinner emerges as the top contender for the championship, and also has the opportunity to complete his Career Grand Slam - just half a year after Alcaraz achieved this.

Additionally, Grand Slam record holder Novak Djokovic is also expected to be a notable factor, if he recovers sufficiently to participate in the tournament. The Serbian player is aiming for his 25th Major title in his career, although he has also faced several fitness issues recently.

For Alcaraz, this injury interrupts his impressive performance streak in recent times. This is also a rare instance where the player born in 2003 misses a Grand Slam event since the Australian Open 2023. His current focus will be on full recovery to target the grass season, particularly the goal of reclaiming the Wimbledon title.