new delhi, May 20
Tennis fans will have to wait longer to see Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz back in action after the World No. 2 announced his withdrawal from both the Wimbledon Championships and the Queen’s Club Championships due to a persistent right wrist injury.
The 22-year-old confirmed the development through a message posted on X, saying that although his recovery has shown improvement, he is still not physically ready to return to competitive action on grass courts.
“My recovery is going well, and I feel much better, but unfortunately I’m still not ready to be able to play, and that’s why I have to withdraw from the grass-court swing at Queen’s and Wimbledon,” Alcaraz wrote. “They are two really special tournaments for me, and I’ll miss them a lot. We keep working to return as soon as possible,” he added. The withdrawal marks another major setback in what has become a disrupted and injury-affected season for the young Spaniard, who has struggled with fitness concerns over the past few months. Alcaraz has not appeared on the ATP Tour since injury issues intensified during the clay-court season earlier this year.
He had already missed several key tournaments, including the Italian Open in Rome and the French Open, where he was expected to defend his title. His absence from major events has raised concerns among fans and experts about the long-term management of his fitness and workload at a relatively young age.
Alcaraz’s last major triumph came at the 2025 French Open, where he produced one of the most memorable performances of his career. In the final, he defeated World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a thrilling five-set contest that lasted five hours and 29 minutes.
The marathon final was widely regarded as one of the greatest Grand Slam matches in recent history due to its intensity, shot-making and dramatic momentum swings. The victory further cemented Alcaraz’s reputation as one of the brightest stars in world tennis and a leading figure of the sport’s new generation. However, signs of physical trouble had already emerged earlier in the season. Alcaraz withdrew from the Barcelona Open after reportedly receiving treatment on his right wrist and forearm. Soon after, he also skipped the Madrid Open as a precautionary measure in an attempt to avoid aggravating the injury.
Concerns about his condition increased during the Laureus World Sports Awards earlier this year, where Alcaraz was named Sportsman of the Year. During the event, he was seen wearing a protective brace on his right wrist, sparking speculation about the seriousness of the injury and his participation in upcoming tournaments.
In April, Alcaraz had hinted that the issue was more serious than initially believed. Speaking about his condition at the time, he admitted that doctors had advised him to step away from competition to prevent long-term damage.
He described the situation as “a difficult time” but acknowledged that prioritising recovery was necessary for the future of his career.
The absence of Alcaraz from Wimbledon is expected to significantly alter the competitive landscape of the tournament. The Spaniard has become one of the most exciting players on grass in recent years due to his aggressive style, athletic movement and ability to adapt quickly to fast surfaces.
With Alcaraz ruled out, attention will now shift to other leading contenders, including seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic and current World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic, who continues to chase more Grand Slam titles late in his career, is likely to enter the tournament as one of the favourites. Meanwhile, Sinner will also look to strengthen his position at the top of men’s tennis following his impressive performances over the last two seasons.
Alcaraz’s absence will undoubtedly disappoint tennis fans around the world, especially given his popularity and exciting playing style. However, many within the sport believe that taking sufficient time to recover is the right decision to ensure the Spaniard can return fully fit and continue competing at the highest level for years to come.
