Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion of Roland-Garros, has withdrawn from the tournament due to a right wrist injury. This announcement was made on April 24. Alcaraz shared the news on social media platform X, stating he will also skip the Italian Open in Rome, a tournament he had won the previous year.
The world number two sustained the injury earlier this month during the Barcelona Open, where he won his first-round match. He withdrew from the tournament the following day. Additionally, Alcaraz has pulled out of the Madrid Open this week. Despite his injury, he attended the Laureus World Sports Awards, where he was recognized as World Sportsman of the Year.
After further medical evaluations, Alcaraz confirmed his decision not to participate in both the Rome and Roland-Garros tournaments. In his statement on X, he expressed his disappointment but emphasized the importance of prioritizing his health. “It’s a difficult time for me, but I’m sure we will come out stronger,” he said.
Carlos Alcaraz’s Recent Performance
Alcaraz kicked off the year by defeating Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final, making history as the youngest player to complete a Grand Slam. However, he has since struggled on clay. He secured only one title this year in Doha in February and lost to Jannik Sinner in the Monte-Carlo final earlier this month, resulting in the loss of his world number one ranking to Sinner.
Comments from Jannik Sinner
Following his match in the Madrid Open, Jannik Sinner expressed his well-wishes for Alcaraz. “Tennis needs Carlos. The sport is much better when he is around,” Sinner stated. He urged Alcaraz to take the necessary time to recover, warning that returning too soon could lead to more significant issues down the line. “We all want him to be competitive upon his return,” he added.
Upcoming Tournaments
- Italian Open: Begins on May 6
- Roland-Garros: Set to start on May 18
Carlos Alcaraz’s absence will certainly be felt as both tournaments approach, but fans and players alike hope for his speedy recovery and return to the court.
