Why is Carlos Alcaraz missing Wimbledon 2026?
Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal is one of the biggest stories surrounding Wimbledon 2026. Here’s why the Spaniard is missing the Grand Slam and what it means for the tournament.
Carlos Alcaraz will miss Wimbledon 2026 after withdrawing from the tournament because of a wrist injury. The Spaniard, who was expected to be among the favourites to win Wimbledon 2026, has been ruled out before the Championships begin and will not compete at the All England Club.
His absence is one of the biggest talking points ahead of Wimbledon, with the men’s draw losing one of its leading contenders. Below is everything you need to know about Alcaraz’s injury, his expected return and how his withdrawal affects Wimbledon 2026.
Why is Carlos Alcaraz missing Wimbledon 2026?
Carlos Alcaraz is missing Wimbledon 2026 after suffering a wrist injury.
The Spaniard was forced to withdraw before the Championships, ending hopes of another deep run on the grass courts of SW19. His absence leaves defending champion Jannik Sinner as the outright favourite in many betting markets.
What injury does Carlos Alcaraz have?
Alcaraz is recovering from a wrist injury that he picked up in the Barcelona Open in April. As a result of the issue, the Spaniard withdrew from the Madrid Open, Italian Open, French Open and Queen’s Club Championships.
While he is close to a recover, the injury was considered serious enough to prevent him from competing at Wimbledon, with his team opting against risking a return before he was fully fit.
Although disappointing for fans, the decision allows Alcaraz additional time to recover ahead of the remainder of the season.
Who replaced Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon 2026?
Following Alcaraz’s withdrawal, British no.2 Jan Choinski moved into the main draw as his replacement.
Several other players also have also withdrawn from Wimbledon before the tournament has begun.
| Withdrawn player | Replacement |
|---|---|
| Carlos Alcaraz | Jan Choinski |
| Lorenzo Musetti | Matteo Berrettini |
| Valentin Vacherot | Sho Shimabukuro |
| Tomáš Macháč | Jesper de Jong |
| Sebastian Korda | Alexandre Muller |
| Holger Rune | Titouan Droguet |
| Arthur Cazaux | Alex Molčan |
| Reilly Opelka | Dalibor Svrčina |
How does Alcaraz’s absence affect Wimbledon 2026?
Alcaraz’s withdrawal significantly changes the men’s tournament. Without the Spaniard, defending champion Jannik Sinner heads the outright betting, while Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz all move closer to the front of the market.
It also opens the draw for a number of dangerous outsiders at Wimbledon 2026, with players such as Jack Draper and Matteo Berrettini hoping to take advantage of Alcaraz’s absence.
Carlos Alcaraz injury return date
There is currently no confirmed injury return date for Alcaraz, but he expected to return to action in August, with the 23-year-old likely to feature at the Canadian Open the earliest, or the US Open.
His recovery will determine when he is able to resume competition, with his team expected to prioritise a full recovery rather than rushing him back before he is ready. Alcaraz has recently posted videos on social media where is he seen practicing on the court, sparking optimism that a return is not too far away.
Fans will hope the former Wimbledon champion is available for the North American hard-court swing later this summer, although that will depend on how his rehabilitation progresses.
Has Carlos Alcaraz won Wimbledon before?
Yes.
Alcaraz has already established himself as one of the leading grass-court players of his generation and has previously lifted the Wimbledon men’s singles title twice, in 2023 and 2024.
His aggressive all-court style, movement and ability to adapt to grass have made him one of the most dangerous players at the All England Club whenever fully fit.
FAQs
Why is Carlos Alcaraz not playing Wimbledon 2026?
Alcaraz withdrew from Wimbledon 2026 because of a wrist injury.
What injury does Carlos Alcaraz have?
The Spaniard is recovering from a wrist injury that ruled him out of the Championships.
Who replaced Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon?
British no.2 Jan Choinski replaced Alcaraz in the Wimbledon 2026 main draw.
Will Carlos Alcaraz return this season?
Alcaraz is expected to return once he has fully recovered, with current estimates predicting a return to action in August 2026.
Who is favourite to win Wimbledon without Alcaraz?
Defending champion Jannik Sinner becomes the leading favourite following Alcaraz’s withdrawal, ahead of players including Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev.
