Carlos Alcaraz will not defend his Wimbledon title this year. The four-time Grand Slam champion withdrew before the draw with a wrist injury, leaving the tournament without one of its most compelling figures on the eve of Day 1.

Wimbledon runs June 29 to July 12 at the All England Club in London. Alcaraz won here in 2023 and 2024, beating Novak Djokovic in both finals. His absence reshapes the men’s draw significantly.

Sinner Steps In as Clear Favourite

With Alcaraz out, Jannik Sinner — world number one and reigning Australian and US Open champion — enters as the top seed and the most likely winner. It’s his first Wimbledon as the outright favourite at the moment the draw opens up for him.

Sinner opens against Miomir Kecmanovic. Tougher tests come later, with Novak Djokovic seeded seventh and placed in the same half of the draw. A Sinner-Djokovic semifinal looks like the most anticipated men’s match on the schedule.

Djokovic Chasing Eight

Djokovic, 38, is chasing his eighth Wimbledon title and what would be a 25th Grand Slam. He’s beaten Alcaraz in several hard-fought matches in recent years, though both Wimbledon finals went Alcaraz’s way. Without him in the draw, Djokovic’s path is considerably cleaner.

Markéta Vondroušová, the defending women’s champion, is also absent. Aryna Sabalenka is the top women’s seed and enters as the favourite on the other side.

What Changes Without Alcaraz

Wimbledon without Alcaraz is a measurably different event. He had won the last two editions and become the face of the grass-court game. His withdrawal removes the central storyline — a three-peat bid — and takes away the most likely Sinner-Alcaraz final the sport had been building toward all season.

Day 1 of Wimbledon 2026 begins June 29, with Sinner the heavy favourite after the biggest pre-tournament story turned out to be an absence.