Novak

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have withdrawn from next week’s Madrid Open as their clay-court preparations for next month’s French Open continue to be disrupted by injury.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”.

“Madrid is home, one of the most special places on the calendar for me, and that’s why it hurts so much not to be able to play here for the second year in a row,” the seven-time Grand Slam winner said in an Instagram post.

“It hurts especially not to be able to be in front of my fans, in a tournament that’s so special to me. Thank you for your continued support, and I hope to see you soon.”

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.

“Madrid, unfortunately I won’t be able to compete this year. I’m continuing my recovery in order to be back soon,” he said on Instagram.

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.

It is a first title of the year for Sinner, who had his Australian Open title defence ended by Djokovic in a thrilling five-set semi-final in January.

Sinner also extends his head-to-head record against Medvedev, having won nine of their past 10 meetings.

Despite the loss, Medvedev will re-enter the top 10 when the rankings are updated on Monday.

The former US Open champion almost missed the tournament, having been stuck in Dubai because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

After arriving in the USA, Medvedev showed why he was previously at the top of the men’s game, with a fine semi-final victory over world number one Carlos Alcaraz.

However, it was Sinner who edged the tight moments on Sunday, helped by his imperious serve.

Sinner won 43 of 47 first-serve points, hit 10 aces and won 60% of points behind his second serve to remain in control of the match.

Medvedev saved the only two break points of the final and came close to forcing a third set when he went 4-0 up in the tie-break.

However, Sinner reeled off seven points in a row to close out the match and win back-to-back Masters 1,000 titles without dropping a set.

Elsewhere, world number three Djokovic has withdrawn from this week’s Miami Open with injury.

The Serb great has won the title six times and finished runner-up to Jakub Mensik last year.

However, the 24-time Grand Slam champion said a right shoulder injury had stopped him competing at the hard-court event, which begins on Monday.