Alcaraz is running out of time to get some matches on the dirt before the French Open. He has now missed the first two tournaments of the clay season, with the Barcelona Open confirming his withdrawal on Sunday.

“We are going to miss you, champion. @carlosalcaraz will not be able to defend the crown he has won in the last two seasons in #BCNOpenBS. We wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you again next year,” the tournament wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) which Alcaraz retweeted.

The 20-year-old was due to travel to Barcelona on Sunday. He will now head to the city on Monday to announce his withdrawal in person.

In a further statement on Instagram, the tournament wrote: “The player from Murcia has suffered from the injury sustained in Monte Carlo, and did not have a good feeling in his training on Sunday and, despite having tried until the last moment, he will not be in the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell – 71 Trofeo Conde of Godo. Carlos Alcaraz will go tomorrow to the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona-1899 to personally announce his withdrawal from the tournament.”

Alcaraz first sparked injury fears when he was seen wearing strapping on his right forearm during his pre-tournament practice sessions at the Monte-Carlo Masters. He was said to be training with less intensity and struggling to hit forehands. He went on to withdraw just one day before his opening match.

“I have been working in Monte Carlo and trying to recover until the last minute from an injured pronator teres in my right arm, but it was not possible and I cannot play,” he wrote on social media earlier this week.