Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have withdrawn from next week’s Madrid Open as their clay-court preparations for next month’s French Open continue to be disrupted by injury.
World number two Alcaraz is struggling with a wrist problem and the 22-year-old Spaniard was forced to pull out of this week’s Barcelona Open with the issue.
Alcaraz said delivering the news he was unable to participate in the tournament in Madrid, which is due to start on 21 April, was “incredibly difficult”.”
Alcaraz is facing a race to be match-ready for the French Open, which he is bidding to win for a third consecutive time.
The tournament at Roland Garros takes place from 18 May to 7 June.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner, has not played since he was beaten by Jack Draper in the fourth round at Indian Wells last month.
The 38-year-old Serbian skipped Masters 1000 events in Miami and Monte Carlo with a shoulder injury and is not yet fit to return to action.
Britain’s Draper is also in a race to be fit for the French Open having retired during his first match in Barcelona this week with a knee injury.