Which players will not compete at the 2026 French Open

May 17, 2026 - 08:33

The main draw of the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros, tennis' second Grand Slam of the year, is set to begin on May 24. Between now and then, there may be additional player withdrawals, but the list of absentees is already long enough to reshape the tournament landscape.

On the men's side, the biggest name missing is Novak Djokovic. The 24-time major champion has not fully recovered from the knee surgery he underwent in late 2025, and his team confirmed he will sit out the clay season entirely. Also out is Carlos Alcaraz, who is nursing a persistent forearm strain that has plagued him since the Miami Open. His absence removes one of the top contenders for the title.

Among the women, world number one Iga Swiatek will defend her title, but several former champions will not be there. Naomi Osaka has withdrawn due to a lingering back issue, and Simona Halep, who was granted a wild card, pulled out after failing to regain full match fitness following her return from suspension. Venus Williams also announced she will skip the event, citing a need to rest her aging body.

Other notable absentees include Matteo Berrettini, who is still recovering from an abdominal tear, and Emma Raducanu, who has opted to focus on the grass court season instead. The field remains strong, but the missing stars will leave a noticeable gap in the draw.