Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the upcoming French Open due to a wrist injury that has necessitated a reevaluation of his immediate schedule. This decision comes after medical assessments were conducted to determine his ability to compete at Roland Garros, where he claimed the title last year.
The injury originated during the Barcelona Open, where Alcaraz’s tournament was cut short. He required treatment mid-match against Otto Virtanen and subsequently withdrew before his next match. As a result of this setback, Alcaraz will miss both the Rome Masters and the French Open, key events on the clay-court calendar.
“After the results of the tests carried out today, we have decided that the most prudent thing is to be cautious and not participate in Rome and Roland Garros, while we wait to assess the evolution to decide when we will return to the court. It’s a complicated moment for me, but I’m sure we’ll come out stronger from here,” Alcaraz stated on his X handle.
His absence will significantly impact the draw at Roland Garros, where he was expected to defend his title following last year’s intense final against Jannik Sinner. That match exceeded five hours, highlighting the fierce rivalry that has developed between the two players.
This withdrawal also prevents a potential rematch between Alcaraz and Sinner, as their most recent Grand Slam encounter took place at the US Open final, where Alcaraz emerged victorious. Since then, Sinner has gained momentum, including a victory over Alcaraz at the Monte Carlo Masters, which helped him ascend to the top of the world rankings.
With Alcaraz unable to compete, Sinner will head into the French Open as the top seed. This development could ease the path for Novak Djokovic, who has found both players formidable opponents in recent tournaments. The French Open is scheduled to take place from May 24 to June 7.
