Injured Alcaraz pulls out of Madrid Open for second straight year

Carlos Alcaraz will miss the Madrid Open for the second consecutive year after withdrawing on Friday with a wrist ​injury, dealing another blow to the world number two's clay ‌court preparations ahead of his French Open title defence.

The 22-year-old Spaniard picked up the injury in a 6-4 6-2 first-round win over Otto Virtanen ​in Barcelona but withdrew from that tournament when tests ​revealed the problem was more serious than initially expected.

Alcaraz pulled ⁠out of the Madrid Open last year due to hamstring ​and groin injuries.

"There is news that is extremely hard to give. ​Madrid is home, one of the most special places on the calendar for me, and that's why it hurts me so much not to be ​able to play here for the second year in a ​row," Alcaraz wrote on Instagram.

"It hurts me especially not being able to be ‌in ⁠front of my people, in a tournament that is so special. Thank you for the love as always and I hope to see you soon."

The injury throws a spanner in the ​works as the ​Australian Open champion ⁠hopes to retain French Open title next month.

The twice Barcelona champion had returned to competition 48 ​hours after losing the Monte Carlo Masters final ​to Jannik ⁠Sinner, a defeat that dropped him behind the Italian to second in the world rankings.

Alcaraz's announcement came hours after Novak Djokovic also withdrew ⁠from ​the Madrid Open as he is ​still working through injury problems that forced him to miss tournaments in Miami and ​Monte Carlo.