World number one Jannik Sinner has urged rival and world number two Carlos Alcaraz not to rush his comeback after a wrist injury ruled him out of the upcoming Roland Garros in Paris. Sinner expressed his disappointment at his competitor’s withdrawal from the main event and hoped that Alcaraz would return in time for Wimbledon.
Alcaraz, the defending French Open champion, had earlier announced on his social media that he would not be able to defend his title due to injury. The seven-time Grand Slam champion addressed the issue during the first round of the Barcelona Open earlier this month.
Alcaraz’s withdrawal paves the way for Sinner to potentially complete a career Grand Slam – the Italian has won the Australian Open twice, Wimbledon last year and the US Open in 2024. But he said he simply hoped the Spaniard would be back on court soon.
“This is very difficult,” Sinner said after his match with Benjamin Bonzi at the Madrid Open. “With these kinds of injuries you have to go very, very slowly. It’s sad for tennis. Carlos is the defending champion and as a competitor I always want to play against the best in the world.”
Jannik Sinner on the withdrawal of Carlos Alcaraz from Roland Garros
“It’s sad for tennis. You always want to play the best in the world. He’s definitely the best in the world on this surface. I wish him a speedy recovery.”
(via teleporterve) pic.twitter.com/eqCM2HGQr4— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 24, 2026
RIVALS ON THE FIELD, FRIENDS OFF IT
A dominant force on clay, Alcaraz defeated Sinner in last year’s marathon final at Roland Garros, saving three championship points and coming back from two sets down to win after five hours and 29 minutes.
“He’s definitely the best in the world on this surface. It’s sad news. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he’s ready for Wimbledon,” Sinner added.
The nature of the injury is concerning considering several careers have been curtailed or affected by wrist issues. Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 US Open winner, has struggled with wrist problems for most of his career. Dominic Thiem struggled with a wrist injury after his breakthrough US Open title in 2020 and retired in 2024, while Nick Kyrgios also faced similar difficulties.
“I believe he will come back stronger than before. But injury is always difficult, especially the wrist,” Sinner said.
The rivalry between the two was considered the premiere match in modern tennis, with Sinner winning their last match in the final of the 2026 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 7-6(5), 6-3. Over the past 2 years, Alcaraz and Sinner have traded the No. 1 position and shared nine Grand Slam titles, meeting in four consecutive major finals.
The French Open main draw begins on May 24, with the rest of the field looking to become the first men’s singles major winner not named Alcaraz or Sinner since 2023.
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Published on:
25 Apr 2026 09:55 IST
