UPDATE 4/17/2026 11:04 am: Carlos Alcaraz Pulls Out of Madrid
Just as the draw was already losing star power, it took another major hit.
Carlos Alcaraz confirmed he will not play the Mutua Madrid Open, marking the second straight year he’ll miss his home tournament.
Novak Djokovic has also officially withdrawn from the 2026 Madrid Open, continuing a disrupted spring season due to a lingering shoulder injury.
The Serbian star had been listed as a potential participant in Madrid but had not confirmed his status in recent days.
His withdrawal comes before the official main draw, removing one of the tournament’s biggest names from the field.
Read on for more of the Djokovic and Alcaraz Madrid withdrawal news and what this means for the stars’ French Open chances.
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Djokovic has not played since earlier this season and has already missed multiple key events, including the Miami Open and Monte Carlo Masters.
The decision to skip Madrid suggests he is still not physically ready to return to competition.
The Madrid Open, played at altitude at the Caja Mágica, is one of the most unique stops on the ATP calendar.
Djokovic’s absence adds further uncertainty to a tournament already dealing with questions surrounding several top players, including Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
With Djokovic out, attention now shifts to the rest of the field as the clay season continues toward Roland Garros.
It remains unclear whether he will return in time for the Rome Masters, the final major warm-up event before the French Open.
Stay tuned to Crush & Rush News for any future Mutua Madrid Open updates ahead of Monday’s Mutua Madrid Open draw.
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Phil Naessens is a tennis betting analyst and former tennis coach with decades of experience in player development and match analysis. He is the founder of Crush Rush News and host of the Crush & Rush Tennis Podcast, focusing on price-first betting strategy, market efficiency, and transparency in sports wagering.
