Two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz pulls out of Wimbledon due to lingering wrist injury
Carlos Alcaraz confirmed via a social media announcement that he will not defend his Wimbledon title this year, having held it for the past two seasons. The Spaniard cited a chronic right wrist injury that he said would prevent him from being ready in time for the grass-court swing following Roland Garros. Alcaraz described the decision as "the hardest sporting choice of my life."
According to information collated by BBC Sport, Alcaraz first strained the wrist at the Australian Open quarter-final in January. Months of physiotherapy produced short-lived recoveries, but swelling recurred at the Madrid Open. An MRI scan in early May reportedly showed a small tear in the joint capsule, and the medical team recommended a "rebuilding" protocol for the remainder of the season.
A statement released through Alcaraz's family foundation framed the early withdrawal as a sign of respect — declining to enter the draw rather than withdraw later. Having become the face of post-Murray Wimbledon over two years of grass-court titles, Alcaraz said in a recorded video: "I feel I owe this to the All England Club, the fans and my rivals. I am working every day to return in 2027."
The ranking consequences of the decision quickly came into focus. Alcaraz, unable to defend the 2,000 points he won as champion, will fall to world number five. That reordering will reshape the US Open seeding draw; in particular, the leading contenders to win Wimbledon — Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune — may benefit from a draw that clears a major favourite from their bracket.
The void Alcaraz leaves on the lawns of Wimbledon is not just one of ranking. His grass-specific drop shots and curving backhand winners had produced some of the most watchable rallies of the past two seasons. An All England Club spokesperson said: "We wish the player a healthy summer; the field remains strong."
Alcaraz's wrist problem has also reignited debate over the modern tennis calendar. Last year the ATP expanded both the number of tournaments and the minimum length of marquee events, building a structure that increases the annual workload on top players. The six-week peak that runs through Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open has raised chronic injury risk in the wrist-elbow-shoulder triad for the elite.
ESPN tennis analyst Patrick McEnroe told BBC Sport: "Alcaraz's body is now acting like an alarm system. The federations and the ATP need to have a serious conversation about match counts and rest windows for the top players."
The Spaniard's next steps remain uncertain. The foundation's statement said Cincinnati and the US Open remain on the calendar, but only "subject to the trajectory of treatment." Reports indicate Alcaraz is working seven days a week at his Barcelona rehab centre alongside long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, with the first physical assessments expected around 15 June.
The first-round draw at Wimbledon will be redrawn without the defending champion. The main draw will be held on 24 June; tournament director Sally Bolton has named US Open champion Jannik Sinner this year's top seed. No Turkish player is in the draw; an online portal for additional ticket sales has reportedly seen record applications on day one.
For Alcaraz, in the 22nd year of his life, the 2026 season will be remembered as a medical test year. "What I did two years ago on this court is still mine, and I owe you," he said in the recorded message to fans. Wimbledon, even without its champion, will open on 30 June on its grass courts in a way that does not disturb the rhythm of the tournament.