Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have both withdrawn from the 2026 Madrid Open.
It’s been a bad day for Feliciano Lopez and Garbine Muguruza, the Madrid Open tournament organisers, as two of the biggest names in men’s tennis announced their withdrawals.
Will you still be watching the Madrid Open?
Two BIG withdrawals…
All eyes now turn to Jannik Sinner, the world number one, who himself has yet to confirm his appearance at the fourth Masters 1000 event of the year.
He has an important decision to make: one that could play a major role in the outcome of the 2026 season.
Jannik Sinner must decide if his priority is winning Rome or staying world number one
Sinner is the world number one and leads Alcaraz by 390 points.
Live ATP Rankings
| Rank | Name | Country | Points | 2026 Titles |
| 1 | Jannik Sinner | Italy | 13,350 | 3 (Indian Wells, Miami Open, Monte Carlo Masters) |
| 2 | Carlos Alcaraz | Spain | 12,960 | 2 (Australian Open, Qatar Open) |
| 3 | Alexander Zverev | Germany | 5,255 | – |
| 4 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | 4,710 | – |
| 5 | Felix Auger-Aliassime | Canada | 4,100 | 1 (Open Occitanie) |
If he were to enter the Madrid Open, he would do as the heavy favourite.
Should he win the title, he would travel to Rome with a 1,390-point lead over Alcaraz.
And with Alcaraz defending more points than Sinner in Rome and Paris, the chances are that the Italian would begin the grass-court season as the world number one.
Points Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have to defend on clay
- Carlos Alcaraz – 3,000 points
- Jannik Sinner – 1,950 points
The 24-year-old has already spent more weeks at number one than all but 11 players in ATP Tour history, and has his sights set on the top 10.
All-time weeks at number-one
| Rank | Name | Country | Weeks |
| 1 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | 428 |
| 2 | Roger Federer | Switzerland | 310 |
| 3 | Pete Sampras | USA | 286 |
| 4 | Ivan Lendl | Czechia | 270 |
| 5 | Jimmy Connors | USA | 268 |
| 6 | Rafael Nadal | Spain | 209 |
| 7 | John McEnroe | USA | 170 |
| 8 | Bjorn Borg | Sweden | 109 |
| 9 | Andre Agassi | USA | 101 |
| 10 | Lleyton Hewitt | Australia | 80 |
| 11 | Stefan Edberg | Sweden | 72 |
| 12 | Jannik Sinner | Italy | 67 |
| 13 | Carlos Alcaraz | Spain | 66 |
| 14 | Jim Courier | USA | 58 |
| 15 | Gustavo Kuerten | Brazil | 43 |
On the other hand, he could choose to skip Madrid.
After all, he will remain world number one either way.
The Italian has played a busy schedule this year, winning three Masters 1000 titles in the last 41 days.
To ensure he is at his best for the Italian Open (his home tournament) and the French Open (where he can complete the Career Grand Slam), perhaps it would be wise for Sinner to withdraw from the Madrid Open and rest.
So Sinner must now decide if his priority is to extend the gap to Alcaraz and maximise his weeks at world number one, or to win the Italian Open and French Open.
Having already expressed his desire to win both tournaments, don’t be surprised if Sinner announces his withdrawal over the next few days…
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz’s Madrid Open withdrawal statements
We might hear a statement from Sinner soon, but what did Alcaraz and Djokovic have to say?
“There is some news that is incredibly hard to share,” said Alcaraz (translated from Spanish).
“Madrid is home, one of the most special places on my calendar, and that’s why it hurts so much not to be able to play here for the second year in a row.
“It hurts especially not to be in front of my people, in a tournament that means so much.
“Thank you for the unwavering affection, and I hope we see each other soon.
When do you think Novak Djokovic will return?
He still hasn't played a match on clay this year…
“Madrid, unfortunately, I won’t be able to compete at the Madrid Open this year,” said Djokovic.
“I’m continuing my recovery in order to be back soon.
“Hasta pronto! (See you soon).”
Who won last year’s Madrid Open?
Djokovic lost in the second round of last year’s Madrid Open, while Sinner and Alcaraz missed the event.
The door opened up someone else to win a Masters 1000 title, and Norway’s Casper Ruud took advantage.
Casper Ruud at the 2025 Madrid Open
- 2R [WIN] vs Arthur Rinderknech, 6-3, 6-4
- 3R [WIN] vs Sebastian Korda, 6-3, 6-3
- 4R [WIN] vs Taylor Fritz, 7-5, 6-4
- QF [WIN] vs Daniil Medvedev, 6-3, 7-5
- SF [WIN] vs Francisco Cerundolo, 6-4, 7-5
- F [WIN] vs Jack Draper, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4
Ruud defeated Jack Draper in the final to win his first Masters 1000 title.
Will he repeat the feat in another weakened field this time around?
Only time will tell.
The 2026 Madrid Open begins on Friday, April 24.
