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Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion at Roland Garros, has withdrawn from the 2026 French Open after medical tests confirmed that continuing to play with a right wrist injury would risk further damage.
The world No. 2 also pulled out of the Italian Open in Rome, ending his clay-court season early and dashing hopes of a three-peat at the year's second Grand Slam, which begins May 24. Alcaraz was a top favourite at the tennis major, and following his withdrawal, Coco Gauff has broken her silence on the absence.
Coco Gauff sends message to Carlos Alcaraz over French Open withdrawal
Gauff shared her reaction during an Instagram live session shortly after her own match win in Madrid. The reigning French Open women’s champion said:
“I’m so sad about Carlos.”
The three-time Grand Slam champion added:
“That’s the first thing I saw after I finished my match. I wish him all the best. He’s a nice person.”
The American star said, highlighting the friendly rapport between the young stars, who have previously teamed up successfully in mixed doubles and share mutual respect on the tour. She added that any injury to a fellow player “just sucks,” especially at such an inopportune time.
Alcaraz sustained the injury during his first-round match at the Barcelona Open earlier in April. He received treatment on his right wrist and forearm before withdrawing from Barcelona and later skipping Madrid.
The Spanish star’s absence significantly affects the men’s draw at Roland Garros, boosting the title prospects of World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and opening the field for other contenders. The seven-time Grand Slam champion had lost his No. 1 ATP ranking to the Italian recently after his recent setbacks, including losing the Monte Carlo Masters title to Sinner.
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