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Carlos Alcaraz had a chance to regain his World No. 1 spot in the ATP Rankings in the absence of Jannik Sinner at the Barcelona Open 2026. However, the Spaniard will now have to wait after he was forced to withdraw from the tournament.
The No. 2 tennis star will not continue at Barcelona due to a right wrist and forearm injury, the ATP Tour announced on Wednesday. The defending champion felt discomfort during his first-round victory over Otto Virtanen on Tuesday, calling for a medical timeout at 5-4 in the first set.
Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Barcelona Open; a look at his injury report
After receiving treatment and taping on his wrist, Alcaraz rallied to win the match, but later canceled practice and opted not to continue in the tournament. During his recent media appearance, Alcazar revealed:
"After the tests, we've seen that it's a more serious injury than we all expected, and I have to listen to my body and make sure it doesn't affect me in the future.”
The Spaniard added:
"With great sadness, I have to go home to start my recovery as soon as possible with my team, the doctors, and the physio, and try to get as healthy as possible for the tournaments I have coming up.”
Alcaraz stated that he hopes the fans will be able to see him return on the court soon. The injury comes after a demanding schedule with limited rest following his run to the Monte Carlo Masters final. The seven-time Grand Slam champion had expressed a commitment to listening to his body during the clay-court swing after previous physical setbacks.
The withdrawal shifts focus to Alcaraz's recovery ahead of the Madrid Open, Rome Masters, and French Open. Barcelona's title defense now opens opportunities for other players in the draw, as Alcaraz prioritizes long-term fitness ahead of the upcoming Grand Slam season.
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