Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of third straight French Open title ended by injury
By Eleanor Crooks, Press Association Sport Correspondent, Madrid
Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of winning a third straight French Open title have been shattered by injury.
The Spaniard announced on Friday that the right wrist problem he suffered in Barcelona last week will keep him out of both the Italian Open in Rome and Roland Garros.
Alcaraz, who won a titanic battle against his great rival Jannik Sinner in the final in Paris last year, wrote on Instagram: “After the results of the tests carried out today, we have decided that the most prudent thing to do is to be cautious and not participate in Rome or Roland Garros as we wait to evaluate the progress so we can decide when to return to the court.
“This is a difficult time for me, but I am sure we will come out of it stronger.”
The 22-year-old initially did not appear too concerned about the issue, completing an opening win at the Barcelona Open against Otto Virtanen having sought treatment late in the first set.
But tests showed the issue was more serious than Alcaraz had thought and he subsequently pulled out of the event and this week’s Madrid Open ahead of a more detailed examination.
That has now confirmed the world number two’s fears that he will not be able to bid for an eighth grand slam title next month.
Alcaraz cast a cautious note about his prospects after being named World Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus awards on Monday, saying: “I have a long career ahead of me. Forcing for Roland Garros could penalise me enormously in the future.”
The Spaniard won his maiden title at Roland Garros in 2024 and would have been strongly fancied to make it three in a row having claimed three of the last four major crowns.
The last of those, at the Australian Open in January, saw him become the youngest man in history to complete the career Grand Slam of all four titles.
Sinner will now be a huge favourite to follow in Alcaraz’s footsteps, with the red-hot Italian only needing the French Open title to finish off his set.
Alcaraz has only sat out one grand slam tournament since making his debut at the Australian Open in 2021, with a hamstring problem preventing him from travelling to Melbourne two years later.
He will now focus on returning to full fitness for the grass-court season, where he is due to defend his title at Queen’s Club in June.
But the fact Alcaraz has pulled out of the French Open so long before the event indicates the severity of the issue and means Wimbledon, which begins on June 29, could potentially be in doubt.
