New Delhi: World number two Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Barcelona Open on Wednesday before his second round match with a wrist injury.

The top seed damaged his right wrist during his 6-4 6-2 first-round victory over Otto Virtanen and was scheduled to face Czech Tomas Machac in the second round.

“After the tests, we’ve realised that the injury is more serious than any of us expected, and I need to listen to my body to ensure it doesn’t affect me in the future,” the Spaniard said.

“I never like to withdraw from any tournament, and especially not this one. It is with great sadness that I have to return home to begin my recovery as soon as possible with my team, the doctors and the physio, and to be, or try to be, as fit as possible for the tournaments I have coming up.”

A two-time champion in Barcelona, he played his first round game two days after losing in the final of Monte Carlo Masters and the top ranking to Jannik Sinner.

Alcaraz is expected to return to the caly courts of Madrid and Rome before defence of his French Open title, beginning in Paris on May 24.

The 22-year-old won 22 matches and lost thrice this season, claiming the Australian and Qatar Open titles.

Older brother of Andy Murray, Jamie, called time on his career aged 40 after a decorated career that fetched seven Grand Slam titles and a Davis Cup victory.

Jamie also rose to the top spot in men’s doubles in 2016 and after 36 years in the sport retires with 34 titles including doubles crowns at Australian Open and US Open in 2016 along with five mixed doubles titles split between Wimbledon and US Open.

“My tennis journey comes to an end after 36 years. I feel very fortunate and privileged for all the amazing experiences this great sport has given me,” Jamie said in a statement.

“For everybody else that’s helped/supported me – I appreciate all of you! Excited to enter the real world!”