Carlos Alcaraz’s 2026 season has hit a bump in the road after his withdrawal from the Barcelona Open.
The star withdrew from his match against Tomas Machac in Barcelona due to a wrist injury he picked up against Otto Virtanen.
Alcaraz has often struggled with the clay court schedule and now he could skip the Madrid Open for the second consecutive year.
That is not the only high-profile tournament Alcaraz could skip in 2026, either, according to Roberto Bautista Agut.
The tournament Carlos Alcaraz could skip in 2026
Speaking to Clay, Roberto Bautista Agut cast doubt on Alcaraz’s status for Spain’s upcoming Davis Cup tie with Chile in September
Asked if Alcaraz will play the tie, he said: “I think it will be difficult for Carlos to be there. It will be a tough tie against a very strong team like Chile, with Jarry, Garín, Tabilo, Barrios… a great team. Spain will have to be very well prepared if they want to compete.”
Should Carlos Alcaraz hire another coach after his recent results?
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The September Davis Cup ties come in the week between the US Open and the Laver Cup, both of which Alcaraz is set to play.
The winner of the tie between Spain and Chile will proceed to the Davis Cup Finals in November, so there is plenty on the line for both teams.
While Bautista Agut believes Alcaraz is unlikely to play the event, the star has previously said he is desperate to win the tournament with Spain.
What Carlos Alcaraz has said about playing the Davis Cup this year
At the beginning of the year, Alcaraz was asked what his overriding goals are for the 2026 season.
He responded by name-checking the Davis Cup twice, so he could be inclined to play Spain’s tough tie away to Chile.
Should Carlos Alcaraz have skipped the Barcelona Open? Did he make a mistake by playing it?
He said: “A few Masters 1000, I just really wanted to complete all the Masters 1000, trying to win at least once. Obviously, the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup. The Davis Cup, it is a goal as well.”
Alcaraz missed the Davis Cup Finals last year due to injury, as Spain were beaten by eventual champions Italy.
The Spaniard has not played the Davis Cup since a 2024 appearance against Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
Alcaraz defeated Tallon Griekspoor in singles action, before he and Marcel Granollers were beaten by Botic van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof.
