Carlos Alcaraz admitted on Monday in Madrid that he could miss defending his French Open title in Paris next month after a serious wrist injury, choosing recovery over risk following withdrawals from Barcelona and the Madrid Open.
Alcaraz did not sugar-coat the situation. Instead he made his priorities clear. “I’d rather come back a little later but in great shape than come back early, rushing around, and unwell.”
The injury struck suddenly. He felt his wrist “give out on a return,” then doctors confirmed something more serious than expected.
Minor discomfort invites risk, but serious injury demands discipline. “God willing, I have a very long career ahead of me, many years, and pushing myself too hard at this Roland Garros could seriously harm me in future tournaments.”
He accepts the reality of elite sport. “Things happen in the professional world. You have to accept them.”No excuses, no drama. Just a player adjusting to the grind.
Alcaraz then explained why he is not rushing to play with his injury, “I need to recover really well if I don’t want it to affect me later on.”
Alcaraz arrives at this crossroads after losing his world number one ranking to Jannik Sinner following defeat in Monte Carlo. He had built serious momentum before that, winning 17 straight matches on clay.
