World number one Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from Wimbledon 2026 due to a persistent wrist injury, forcing him to miss the entire grass court season including his title defense at the All England Club. The 22-year-old Spaniard, fresh off winning his first Australian Open and completing the career Grand Slam, made the decision after consulting medical staff about the recurring issue.

The withdrawal creates a significant opening in the draw for Jannik Sinner, who replaced Alcaraz as world number one last month after winning six consecutive Masters 1000 tournaments. Their rivalry has defined men's tennis recently, with the pair splitting the last nine major titles, Alcaraz claiming five to Sinner's four. The missed grass court swing could further widen the gap between the two.

Wrist injuries have historically proven career-threatening for tennis players, as evidenced by Dominic Thiem's retirement at the end of 2024. Alcaraz previously acknowledged the risk, stating he didn't want to "do further harm for future tournaments" when speaking at the Laureus Awards in April. The injury comes at a pivotal moment in his promising career, potentially altering the trajectory of men's tennis for the remainder of 2026.