Carlos Alcaraz Ends Wimbledon Defence Early Due to Injury Setback

Carlos Alcaraz has officially withdrawn from Wimbledon 2026 due to an ongoing wrist injury, ending hopes of another title run at the All England Club and dealing a major blow to the grass-court season.

The world No. 2 and two-time Wimbledon champion confirmed the decision on Tuesday, stating that although his recovery has improved, he is still not fit enough to return to competition.

Alcaraz has been sidelined since sustaining the injury during the clay-court swing, forcing him to miss several key tournaments, including the French Open. Medical assessments have since indicated that the wrist has not healed sufficiently for high-level competition, particularly on grass, where timing and wrist stability are crucial.

In a personal statement shared on social media, the Spanish star expressed disappointment at missing two of the sport’s most prestigious events; the Queen’s Club Championships and Wimbledon, adding that his focus remains on full recovery rather than rushing a return.

His absence marks one of the biggest setbacks of the tennis season, as Alcaraz had been among the top favourites for the Wimbledon title following his strong performances over the past two years, including back-to-back championships and a recent final appearance.

The development also reshapes the men’s draw significantly, with rivals such as Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic now emerging as leading contenders in his absence.

Alcaraz is expected to continue rehabilitation and could target a return later in the summer hard-court swing, depending on recovery progress.