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Carlos Alcaraz’s French Open withdrawal reshapes the title race, while Alex de Minaur’s form slump deepens in Madrid.

Carlos Alcaraz has been ruled out of the French Open after scans confirmed the extent of a wrist injury, ending his bid for a third straight title at Roland Garros.

The 22-year-old Spaniard withdrew earlier this month from the Barcelona Open and subsequently pulled out of the Madrid Open, after initially attempting to manage the issue. Medical advice has now led him to skip both the Italian Open and his French Open defence as he prioritises long-term recovery.

Alcaraz said the decision was precautionary, noting that forcing a return for Roland Garros could have long-term consequences. He added that the setback was difficult but expressed confidence in returning stronger, emphasising that he still has a long career ahead.

The withdrawal comes shortly after a standout 2025 season, during which Alcaraz claimed eight ATP titles, including the French Open and US Open, and followed it by winning the Australian Open this year to complete a career Grand Slam at a young age.

His absence leaves world No.1 Jannik Sinner as the leading contender in Paris. Sinner said the sport benefits from Alcaraz's presence and acknowledged that injuries, particularly wrist issues, are challenging for players to manage.

Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur's preparations for Roland Garros have taken another hit after a straight-sets loss in his opening match at the Madrid Open. The Australian fifth seed was beaten 6-3, 6-1 by 19-year-old Rafael Jodar in just 75 minutes.

Jodar secured his first win over a top-10 opponent, breaking de Minaur's serve six times in a dominant performance. For de Minaur, the defeat continues a difficult stretch following his February title in Rotterdam, with early exits in Acapulco, Indian Wells, Miami, Barcelona and now Madrid. A quarter-final appearance in Monte Carlo remains his only deep run in that period.