Fears raised over Carlos Alcaraz wrist injury, Madrid Open director Feliciano Lopez says next two tournaments ‘almost impossible’
By Marko Tankosic
SME News Balkan. Carlos Alcaraz’s 2026 clay-court campaign has been thrown into uncertainty after a wrist injury forced the Spanish star to withdraw from key tournaments, sparking fears he could miss a significant portion of the European clay swing.
The world No. 2 first showed signs of trouble during his Barcelona Open match against Otto Virtanen, where he required medical attention on his wrist and forearm. Although he completed the match in straight sets, the issue worsened, leading to his withdrawal from the tournament and handing Tomas Machac a walkover in the next round.
Alcaraz has since pulled out of the Madrid Open, joining Novak Djokovic on the sidelines due to injury concerns. The decision marks a major setback in his preparation for the French Open, where he is the defending champion.
Former Spanish tennis star Feliciano Lopez has warned that the injury could be more serious than initially thought. Drawing from personal experience, Lopez suggested the problem may involve wrist tendon inflammation, a condition that can sideline players for weeks.
Alcaraz himself acknowledged that fatigue may have played a role. After reaching the Monte Carlo final, where he lost to Jannik Sinner, he admitted he may have needed rest instead of continuing to compete.
With thousands of ranking points and a Grand Slam title at stake, the coming weeks will be crucial. Fans and analysts alike are now waiting for medical updates to determine whether Alcaraz can recover in time to defend his crown in Paris or if his 2026 clay season will be cut short.
