Carlos Alcaraz’s extended time away from tennis is set to continue through the grass-court season, with the Spaniard confirming he will miss both Wimbledon and Queen’s.
Alcaraz confirmed his absence from Wimbledon is down to a wrist injury, which has completely derailed his 2026 ATP season so far.
Alcaraz picked up titles in Australia and Doha early in the year, but injuries have kept him out of several major events since then, including Madrid and Rome.
Next on the list is Roland Garros. There’s no timeline for his comeback just yet, so fans will have to wait a bit longer before seeing him back on court.
Carlos Alcaraz has made the right call for himself, but his absence isn’t good for the sport
Alcaraz is absolutely doing the right thing by stepping back, even if it’s not what fans want to hear. There’s no sense in rushing back from a wrist injury when he’s got so much ahead of him.
Even at 23, he’s already achieved more than most players dream of. But with his wrist injury still causing problems, there’s no need to risk further damage by coming back too soon.
This decision gives him a better shot at longevity in the game, something that will be crucial as he chases more titles and records down the line.
It was a smart call. At his age and with everything still ahead of him, looking after himself should always come first.
He might be frustrated to miss out on another chance to face Jannik Sinner or add more titles to his collection. But taking time now should help make sure there are plenty of those opportunities in the future.
That said, having Alcaraz off the tour is a real blow for tennis. The men’s game loses something without him — whether it’s his style of play or just the energy he brings every time he steps on court.
Apart from what he does during matches, he plays a big role off court as well — not just because fans love watching him play, but also because fellow players respect how he goes about things.
How Alcaraz’s Wimbledon absence affects Sinner and Djokovic
Sinner and Djokovic may be dialled in on their own preparations, but they can’t ignore the impact of Alcaraz stepping away.
His absence not only boosts their chances at Wimbledon but also shifts more expectation onto their shoulders, especially Sinner’s. With Alcaraz out, Sinner moves into pole position to win another title in London this summer.
Failing to defend his title would raise plenty of questions, while Djokovic is still chasing that record 25th Grand Slam title if he hasn’t already secured it at Roland Garros by then.
The draw also opens up a chance for someone else to step through. However, outside of the top names, few have managed to disrupt the established order. Sinner and Alcaraz have claimed each of the last nine major titles between them, with Djokovic being the last player outside that duo to win a Grand Slam.
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