Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time Wimbledon champion, has officially withdrawn from this year's tournament due to a persistent wrist injury. The 23-year-old Spaniard announced his decision on social media, stating that while his recovery is progressing, he is not yet ready to compete. 'My recovery is going well and I'm feeling much better, but unfortunately I'm still not ready to play, so I have to withdraw from the grass-court swing at Queen's and Wimbledon,' Alcaraz shared. 'They're two really special tournaments for me and I'll miss them loads. We keep working to get back as soon as possible.'
Alcaraz has been sidelined since the Barcelona Open in April, where he sustained the injury during the first round. He had previously announced his withdrawal from the French Open, citing the need for a full recovery. The Spaniard's absence from Wimbledon means he will miss the opportunity to defend his title, which he won in 2023 and 2024. His withdrawal also impacts the grass-court season, as he will not participate in Queen's Club in June.
Alcaraz's injury has already affected his clay-court season, as he missed large chunks of it after withdrawing from Barcelona. However, he did compete in the Monte-Carlo Masters in April, where he reached the final. His absence from the grass-court season raises questions about his readiness for future tournaments, including the upcoming French Open, where he is the two-time defending champion. With Alcaraz out, Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1, is now considered the favorite to win Wimbledon.
Alcaraz's injury has been identified as inflammation of the tendon sheath in his wrist. His team has emphasized that the decision to withdraw was made to ensure a full recovery and avoid further complications. The Spaniard has been one of the most dominant players in tennis, having won the Australian Open earlier this year and establishing himself as a top contender in the sport.