Two of the sport’s biggest names will not compete at the Mutua Madrid Open after separate withdrawals citing injury. Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic announced they will miss the ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid.

For Alcaraz it is the second consecutive year he will be absent from his home Masters 1000 tournament. The 22-year-old missed the 2025 edition because of a right leg injury and this week confirmed he will also sit out the Spanish event after withdrawing from the Barcelona Open on Wednesday, citing a right wrist injury.

Alcaraz made a strong start to the clay season by reaching the Monte Carlo final last week, where he lost to Jannik Sinner. That defeat cost him the ATP world No. 1 ranking. He then traveled to Barcelona and told press, “This week is one where I should take a break, but Barcelona is a very special place for me.” He withdrew from the event after winning his opening match. He is next scheduled to compete in Rome and at Roland Garros, where he is the defending champion at the French Open.

On social media Alcaraz wrote: “Some news is incredibly hard to share. Madrid is home, one of the most special places on the calendar to me, and that’s why it hurts so much not being able to play here for the second year in a row,” and added, “It especially hurts not to be in front of my people, in a tournament that means so much. Thanks for your love always and I hope to see you all soon.” He also posted: “Madrid, unfortunately I won’t be able to compete @MutuaMadridOpen this year. I’m continuing my recovery in order to be back soon. Hasta pronto!”

Earlier the same day three-time Madrid champion Novak Djokovic announced he would not play in Madrid, the third time in four years he has missed the event, also absent in 2023 and 2024. “I’m continuing my recovery in order to come back soon,” he wrote. “Hasta pronto! (See you soon!)”

© 2026 Mateo Villalba

The French Tennis Federation has laid out several tributes and new initiatives for the 2026 Roland Garros in a what’s-new guide published Thursday. Among the highlights are three special farewells and a pilot allowing players to wear connected devices during matches.

Gaël Monfils will be given control of Court Philippe Chatrier on May 21 for an evening billed as “Gael & Friends.” “Interactive segments and multiple surprises will punctuate this charity evening, with proceeds benefiting Terre d’Impact, the FFT’s fundraising foundation,” the announcement shared. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet, along with “current stars of the game”, are scheduled to join Monfils during the festivities ahead of his 20th appearance at his home major.

Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo said: “Gaël has a history with Roland-Garros that is full of love and emotion, but he’s also a showman. We’ll be giving him free rein on May 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo”

Caroline Garcia, who retired in 2025, will return to Chatrier for a ceremony on June 4 between the women’s semifinals. The former world No. 4 is expecting her first child later this year with husband Borja Duran.

Stan Wawrinka, the 2015 Roland Garros champion, is described by organisers as a strong candidate to receive a wild card after narrowly missing the main-draw cutoff. Tournament officials say Wawrinka will be honoured at Porte d’Auteuil following his last match.

The schedule also includes a May 26 tribute marking the 70th anniversary of Althea Gibson’s major singles triumph, to be held inside the venue’s largest show court.

Separately, the FFT confirmed a pilot programme that will permit competitors to wear connected devices during play. Organisers said the trial is expected to be followed by Wimbledon and the US Open, as the insights these devices provide become a growing topic of discussion.

Top seed Alexander Zverev moved into the BMW Open by Bitpanda quarterfinals with a controlled straight-sets victory over Gabriel Diallo. Playing on a packed Center Court with several Bayern Munich players in attendance and his family nearby, Zverev closed the match in one hour and 13 minutes, winning 83 per cent of his first-service points, saving the only break point he faced and converting five of eight break-point opportunities.

“It was much more straightforward than in the first match,” Zverev said. “I think he had some issues with his back and wasn’t serving fully in the second set anymore. Very unfortunate, but of course I am happy with the win and getting an easier match today.”

Zverev also praised his favorite football club after their Champions League result. “It was an amazing win yesterday; I was there watching. I took the kids down to the locker room afterwards and they were so nice to them. It was a great experience,” he said.

Up next for the German is fifth seed Francisco Cerundolo. The Argentine defeated two-time Munich finalist Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-0 in 64 minutes.

“I wasn’t in a hurry, but it’s always nice to win fast to save energy for tomorrow when I have to play again,” Cerundolo said. “I played well from the baseline. I probably didn’t serve well in the first set, but it got better in the second. I am trying to improve every day.” He added that the conditions suit him: “I like the conditions here. The clay is similar to the one in Argentina. It feels like home. There is a bit of altitude, but I am comfortable on this surface. My tennis is good and I hope I can keep going.” Zverev leads their head-to-head 4-3 and has won their last four meetings, all on hard courts. “I have never beaten him on clay, which is his favorite surface, but I am definitely looking forward to the challenge,” Zverev said. “I am very happy to be at this stage, facing a tough opponent. That’s what it’s going to be tomorrow.”

Qualifier Alex Molcan extended his run with a 6-4, 7-6 (10) win over Daniel Altmaier in one hour and 43 minutes, handling six aces and breaking once. “It means everything. I cannot be happier or prouder of myself that I have reached the quarterfinals here,” Molcan said. “It’s been a long time since I played at this level. I don’t want to say that I am back, but it’s great to feel the emotions and the crowd again. Competing against the best players and even winning matches motivates me a lot.” He added, “We both served well and I only broke him once in the first set. It was not easy to return. I had to fight mentally in the tie-break because it was so close. I saved two set points and, in the end, I am just happy.” Molcan will face Denis Shapovalov, who beat Fabian Marozsan 7-6(4), 6-2 in one hour and 25 minutes to reach his first quarterfinal on clay since the 2022 Rome Masters.

The Allianz Para Trophy also began in Munich after the tournament was upgraded to a 500-level event, featuring Open and Quad divisions. “We are very proud to be a partner and to promote not only the sport, but also equality and to provide the athletes with a bigger stage,” said Manuel Duhnke. “Compared to other tournaments, everything here is very professional – just like at the ATP event,” said Niels Vink. The Dutchman, who lost both legs and several bones in his hands due to illness, has already achieved a remarkable career Golden Slam at a young age, winning all four majors and Paralympic gold.