Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the 2026 Barcelona Open due to a wrist injury.
During Alcaraz’s first-round win, he hurt his wrist and took a medical timeout.
Unable to recover, Alcaraz announced his withdrawal from the Barcelona Open, sending Tomas Machac through to the quarter-finals.
Carlos Alcaraz has WITHDRAWN from the Barcelona Open due to injury!
When do you think he will return?
The tournament has now released an official statement reacting to the news.
Barcelona Open wish Carlos Alcaraz a ‘speedy recovery’ after his injury withdrawal
“Carlos Alcaraz has announced his withdrawal from the Barcelona Open after undergoing a test on his right wrist this morning,” they said on X.
“We wish you a speedy recovery and hope we can enjoy watching you play again soon!”
This is the second year in a row that Alcaraz has picked up an injury at his home tournament.
During the 2025 Barcelona Open final, Alcaraz injured his right abductor in a straight-sets defeat to Holger Rune.
He subsequently withdrew from his other home tournament, the Madrid Open.
Fans of the Spaniard will be praying he doesn’t do the same in 2026…
The withdrawal is far from ideal for Alcaraz, as it confirms that his rival, Jannik Sinner will remain world number one.
Had Alcaraz won the Barcelona Open, he would have re-taken the top spot from the Italian.
Instead, he will have to settle for world number two, until the Madrid Open at the earliest.
Live ATP Rankings
| Rank | Player | Country | Points |
| 1 | Jannik Sinner | Italy | 13,350 |
| 2 | Carlos Alcaraz | Spain | 12,960 |
| 3 | Alexander Zverev | Germany | 5,105 |
| 4 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | 4,710 |
| 5 | Felix Auger-Aliassime | Canada | 4,100 |
The ranking setback is the least of Alcaraz’s worries, though, as he now looks to heal up in time for the second clay Masters event of the year.
Who is the new favourite to win the Barcelona Open?
Alcaraz was, without a doubt, the favourite to lift the Barcelona Open trophy.
But with the Spaniard withdrawing, who is the new favourite?
Well, it’s hard to look past the second seed, Lorenzo Musetti.
Yes, he’s had a tricky start to the year, but he’s a former French Open semi-finalist and one of the best clay-court players on the planet.
If he is anywhere near 100% fit, the Italian will be tough to beat.
Seeds at the Barcelona Open
- [1] Carlos Alcaraz – Second round, withdrew
- [2] Lorenzo Musetti
- [3] Alex de Minaur – Second round
- [4] Karen Khachanov – First round
- [5] Andrey Rublev
- [6] Valentin Vacherot – Withdrew
- [7] Cameron Norrie
- [8] Jack Draper – First round, retired
- [9] Arthur Fils
Another player on the injury comeback, Arthur Fils, could be one to look out for.
Fils has impressed since returning from injury, and skipped Monte Carlo to ensure he would be fit for the Barcelona Open.
The Frenchman outlasted his countryman Terence Atmane in a thriller to reach the second round, and might now see a clear path to the title with Alcaraz out of his way.
Seeded players Andrey Rublev and Cameron Norrie could also be in contention, but it’s a player ranked outside the top 50 that’s in with a real chance of winning the title.
19-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar has looked strong recently and won his first ATP title earlier this month in Morocco.
Safely through to the quarter-finals, don’t be surprised to see Jodar double his title tally come Sunday.
The Barcelona Open will crown a new champion in 2026
Alcaraz was the only former champion in the 2026 Barcelona Open draw.
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
| 2025 | Holger Rune | Carlos Alcaraz | 7-6, 6-2 |
| 2024 | Casper Ruud | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 7-5, 6-3 |
| 2023 | Carlos Alcaraz | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2022 | Carlos Alcaraz | Pablo Carreno Busta | 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2021 | Rafael Nadal | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 |
| 2020 (Not held) | – | – | – |
| 2019 | Dominic Thiem | Daniil Medvedev | 6-4, 6-0 |
| 2018 | Rafael Nadal | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 6-2, 6-1 |
| 2017 | Rafael Nadal | Dominic Thiem | 6-4, 6-1 |
| 2016 | Rafael Nadal | Kei Nishikori | 6-4, 7-5 |
| 2015 | Kei Nishikori | Pablo Andujar | 6-4, 6-4 |
With the world number two out of the competition, we will see a new champion crowned in 2026.
It remains to be seen who that will be…
