Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz has announced that he will not compete in next month’s French Open after a wrist injury forced him to reconsider his schedule. The world number two made the decision public on Friday via a social‑media post, explaining that recent medical examinations indicated it would be wiser to sit out both the Rome Masters and Roland Garros while his condition is monitored. He wrote, "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." Alcaraz’s withdrawal means the seven‑time Grand Slam winner will miss the chance to defend the title he captured in a dramatic fashion last year. In that memorable final he overcame a fierce challenge from Italy’s Jannik Sinner, saving three championship points and eventually prevailing in a five‑set marathon that lasted five hours and 29 minutes, with a scoreline of 4‑6, 6‑7 (4‑7), 6‑4, 7‑6 (7‑3), 7‑6 (10‑2).
The match is still regarded as one of the greatest finals in the tournament’s history. Since that triumph, Alcaraz has continued to build an impressive résumé. He reclaimed the world No.
1 ranking after winning the US Open for a second time in 2025, and earlier in the season he secured his first Australian Open crown, becoming the youngest player ever to complete a career Grand Slam at 22 years and 258 days old. However, his recent form was interrupted when Jannik Sinner reclaimed the top spot by defeating Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo Masters final just two days before the Spaniard underwent wrist treatment following his opening‑round win over Otto Virtanen at the Barcelona Open.
The injury not only forced Alcaraz out of the French Open but also forced him to skip the Madrid Open and the upcoming Rome Masters. He had previously expressed optimism about possibly playing in Paris, saying at the Laureus Awards, where he was honored as Sportsman of the Year, "We'll see.
The next medical test will be crucial." Unfortunately, subsequent test results confirmed that he must sit out the second Grand Slam of the year, as well as the key clay‑court warm‑up events. Alcaraz’s absence opens a clear path for Sinner to complete his own career Grand Slam.
The Italian has already claimed the Australian Open twice, Wimbledon in 2023, and the US Open in 2024, leaving only Roland Garros to round out his collection. Sinner learned of Alcaraz’s withdrawal during a post‑match interview after his second‑round victory over Benjamin Bonzi at the Madrid Open. He commented, "It’s sad for tennis.
As a competitor, I always want to play against the best in the world and he definitely is the best on this surface. I wish him to recover as fast as possible." Tennis analyst Naomi Broady from Sky Sports offered her perspective on the situation, noting, "You have to feel for him.
It’s one of his first really big, impactful injuries. First we felt sorry for him missing Madrid, the biggest tournament in his home country, and now missing Rome and Roland Garros as well – that’s a huge blow.
It shows how serious the injury is that he’s having to miss a Grand Slam. It’s a massive missed opportunity for him and gives Sinner the chance to pull away as world No. 1." The decision to withdraw underscores the physical demands of modern tennis, especially on young players who compete at a high intensity across all four surfaces.
Wrist injuries are common among power hitters, as the repetitive stress of heavy topspin and aggressive backhand strokes can lead to inflammation, tendonitis, or even stress fractures. Recovery typically involves a period of rest, physiotherapy, and a gradual return to hitting, often guided by imaging studies and functional testing.
Alcaraz’s team will likely adopt a cautious rehabilitation plan, balancing the need to protect his wrist with the desire to return to competition before the hard‑court season begins later in the year. If he can recover fully, he will still have opportunities to contest the US Open and the Asian swing, where his aggressive baseline game is well suited to faster courts. Fans worldwide have expressed disappointment on social media, but many also voiced support for his health-first approach.
The tennis community recognizes that a premature return could jeopardize not only his immediate performance but also his long‑term career longevity. In the meantime, the French Open field is reshaped, with several other contenders now seeing a clearer route to the title. Players such as Novak Djokovic, who is attempting a historic double career Grand Slam, and rising stars like Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz’s compatriot Rafael Nadal’s younger generation, will look to capitalize on the open draw. The tournament organizers have confirmed that the draw will remain unchanged, with Alcaraz’s spot being filled by a lucky loser from the qualifying rounds, as per standard ATP protocol.
This ensures the competition proceeds smoothly despite the high‑profile withdrawal. Overall, while Alcaraz’s absence is a setback for the Spanish prodigy and for fans hoping to see a repeat of last year’s epic final, it also highlights the unpredictable nature of sport, where injuries can alter the narrative at any moment. The tennis world will be watching closely as his recovery progresses, hoping the young champion returns stronger and ready to chase more historic milestones in the seasons ahead.