Carlos Alcaraz Withdraws From Roland Garros 2026: What It Means for the French Open and Who to Watch IN MADRID
Carlos Alcaraz Is Out of Roland Garros 2026
Carlos Alcaraz has officially withdrawn from the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome and from Roland Garros 2026 with a wrist injury. Reporting out of Spain points to inflammation in the wrist tendon, a recovery profile that suggests rest rather than surgery, which keeps the grass season in play. Alcaraz himself sounded calm in his pre-withdrawal pressers, leaning on the fact that he is still young and has plenty of French Opens ahead of him.
The bigger story is what his absence opens up. There are only six active Grand Slam champions on the ATP tour right now, and one of them, Stan Wawrinka, is retiring this year. A first-time men's Grand Slam champion at Roland Garros 2026 is suddenly the most realistic it has been in a long time.
Carlos Alcaraz post on Instagram
The Madrid Open Names You Should Know Before Rome
The Mutua Madrid Open men's draw has already produced more breakout runs than any single tournament this clay season. Names worth following before Rome and Roland Garros:
Rafa Jodar — the breakout of the men's clay swing. Won Marrakech, deep run in Barcelona, and still firing in Madrid.
Daniel Merida — qualified into Madrid as the only Spaniard without a wild card and made the third round at home.
Joao Fonseca, Dino Prizmic, Mariano Tirante, Emilio Nava — all picking up signature wins worth tracking into the European clay swing.
Hailey Baptiste Is Playing Her Way Into a Roland Garros Seed
Hailey Baptiste is back into the second week of a 1000 after a win over Jasmine Paolini in Madrid. Her live ranking should land her inside the seeded names at Roland Garros 2026, which would be a first for her at a Grand Slam.
Sabalenka vs Osaka, Round Whatever in Madrid
Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka meet again in the Madrid round of 16, in the building where Sabalenka has done her best work. Naomi's Pucci scarf visor is its own moment, and the Clayomi camo hat is, frankly, the most coveted piece of player-team merch on tour right now.
Naomi Osaka in a custom Pucci scarf
Ground Pass Players of the Fortnight
A quick refresher on the rules: a Player of the Fortnight has to be ranked outside the top 20, and once we pick a player they are locked in for the season and cannot be picked again.
Veronica Podrez — the listener pick of the week, fresh off a run to the Rouen final while juggling medical school. The Ground Pass comments called this one before we did.
Rafa Jodar — banking him early because he might price himself out of a spot in player of the fortnight by summer. Marrakech title, deep Barcelona run, and now living in Madrid's later rounds.
Daniel Merida — the only Spaniard who did not get a Madrid wild card. He qualified in, made the third round in front of his home crowd, and was one of the most entertaining players to watch all week.
Listen and Watch
The full conversation is on the Ground Pass Podcast.
Listen on Apple Podcasts · Listen on Spotify · Watch on YouTube
Take Ground Pass With You
The clay season is the perfect time to lock in your tournament plans and stock up on Spring Swing gear.
Shop Ground Pass merch — Spring Swing tees and the Essential Tournament Hat are live now. → Shop the collection
Tournament guides — Heading to any tournaments this summer? Our Ground Pass tournament guides cover the vibe, getting around, food, photo spots, and insider tips. → Browse tournament guides
