Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz has pulled out of the Barcelona Open with a right arm injury that also forced him to miss this week's Monte Carlo Masters.

The 20-year-old two-times grand slam champion won the tournament in 2022 and 2023. He has taken one title this year, at Indian Wells last month.

"He has suffered from the injury sustained in Monte Carlo, and did not have a good feeling in his training on Sunday and, despite having tried until the last moment, he will not be in the Barcelona Open," Barcelona organisers said on social media platform X on Sunday.

Alcaraz beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets in last year's final. This year, the Greek Tsitsipas may well be the favourite after winning the Monte Carlo title on Saturday with an emphatic victory over Casper Ruud.

The main draw of the Barcelona Open starts on Monday, with the tournament concluding next Sunday.