Two‑time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faces a cloud of uncertainty over his participation in the upcoming French Open after sustaining a painful injury to his right wrist. The 22‑year‑old Spaniard, who currently sits at world No. 2, has been forced to withdraw from recent tournaments, including the Madrid Open and the Barcelona Open, while his medical team conducts a series of examinations to assess the severity of the problem and determine whether he will be fit enough to compete in Paris in roughly a month’s time.
Alcaraz spoke about his situation on Spanish television channel TVE shortly after being honoured as the Laureus Sportsman of the Year on Monday. "We'll see," the seven‑time Grand Slam champion said, emphasizing that the next set of medical tests will be decisive. "The next [medical] test will be crucial. We've been trying to do everything we can to make sure that this test goes well.
I'm trying to be very patient. But we are good, we are just waiting a little bit.
We have a few tests in the next few days and then we will see how the injury is, and what the next steps will be." The wrist issue first became a public concern when Alcaraz pulled out of the Madrid Open earlier this week, citing the need for rest and treatment. The following day, after a solid 6‑4, 6‑2 win over Finland's Otto Virtanen in the opening round of the Barcelona Open, he withdrew from the tournament altogether to receive medical attention for the same wrist. The abrupt exit highlighted how the injury has already begun to disrupt his carefully planned schedule, raising doubts among fans and analysts about his ability to defend his Roland Garros title. In a candid interview, the young Spaniard admitted that the prolonged recovery period has taken a mental toll.
"For now, I've been trying to stay positive, to stay upbeat, even though these days have become a bit too long," Alcaraz said, reflecting on the emotional strain of being sidelined during a crucial phase of the season. He added that he is focusing on rehabilitation exercises, physiotherapy sessions, and a cautious training regimen designed to avoid aggravating the wrist while still maintaining his overall fitness. The stakes are high for Alcaraz.
A successful title defence at the French Open would cement his status as one of the sport's emerging greats and could potentially propel him to the world No. 1 ranking. However, the physical demands of clay—especially the heavy topspin and extended rallies that characterize Roland Garros—place considerable stress on the wrist, making a full recovery essential for any chance of success. While the tennis world watches Alcaraz's progress, other notable athletes were also in the spotlight at the Laureus awards ceremony in Madrid.
Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka, who was named Sportswoman of the Year, described the honor as "goosebumps"‑inducing, noting that she now joins an elite roll of honour that includes legends such as Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles, Shelly‑Ann Fraser‑Pryce, Annika Sörenstam and Lindsey Vonn. "When I see the list of winners from previous years, it makes me feel a little bit crazy to know that my name is going to be next to those legends – those athletes that I watched, I looked up to – but also, a little bit emotional and speechless right now. This is big," Sabalenka said.
She added that the award represents a recognition of the hard work and inspiration that women across all sports provide. The ceremony, hosted by tennis great Novak Djokovic and freestyle skier Eileen Gu, celebrated achievements across a range of disciplines and underscored the growing prominence of athletes who break barriers and set new standards of excellence.
The event also highlighted the increasing synergy between sports broadcasting platforms, with Sky Sports promoting its expanded live coverage and streaming options via the NOW service and its dedicated app, offering subscribers access to more than 50 percent additional live sport at no extra cost. As Alcaraz awaits his upcoming medical evaluations, the tennis community remains hopeful that the treatment plan will allow him to recover fully and return to the court in time for the French Open. His team has indicated that they are monitoring his progress closely, employing a combination of rest, targeted physiotherapy, and possibly imaging studies such as MRI to gauge the extent of any soft‑tissue damage.
Should the tests reveal a minor strain, Alcaraz could potentially resume light practice within weeks, gradually building back to match fitness. Conversely, a more serious injury could necessitate a longer rehabilitation period, potentially forcing him to miss the Grand Slam entirely. Regardless of the outcome, Alcariz's determination and the support of his coaching staff, family, and fans will be crucial.
The next few days will not only determine his immediate participation in Paris but also shape the narrative of his early career—whether he can overcome adversity and continue his meteoric rise or if the wrist injury will become a significant hurdle in his quest for tennis greatness.