Carlos Alcaraz awaiting test results on wrist injury before deciding whether to defend French Open title - 'Forcing things could harm me'
Updated 21/04/2026 at 18:54 GMT+1
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Carlos Alcaraz said he is awaiting test results on his wrist injury before deciding whether he will defend his French Open title next month, with Jannik Sinner hopeful his great rival will return to the court soon.
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Video credit: SNTV
The Spaniard withdrew from the Barcelona Open last week after appearing to be bothered by a wrist injury. He later also pulled out of the Madrid Open.
Speaking at the Laureus Awards in Madrid on Monday – where Alcaraz was named Sportsman of the Year – the 22-year-old said that his participation at Roland-Garros is still up in the air.
"The next test will be crucial," Alcaraz told Spanish television channel TVE, per Reuters.
"We've been trying to do everything we can do 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."
Alcaraz added: "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."
Alcaraz could be seen wearing a cast on his wrist as he addressed the media at the Laureus Awards.
Before withdrawing from the Barcelona Open, the seven-time Grand Slam champion received treatment on court during his first-round victory over Otto Virtanen.
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‘He kicked my a**’ – Fils on trying to beat Alcaraz and Sinner
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Alcaraz explained that he is choosing to not rush his recovery ahead of the second major of the year, pointing to his future in tennis as a reason for being sensible with his body.
"I have a very long career ahead of me, with many years still to come. Forcing things at this Roland-Garros could really harm me for future tournaments," Alcaraz said.
"We’ll see how it goes. As I said, I’d rather come back a little later but in good shape than come back too soon, rushing things and not at my best."
Having decided not to participate in the Madrid Open, the only clay court warm-up tournament before the 2026 French Open - which begins on May 24, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max - is the Italian Open, where Alcaraz is the defending champion.
If Alcaraz was to miss the French Open, it would give his long-time rival Sinner the perfect opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam - done by winning all four of tennis' majors.
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Sinner is only missing the Roland-Garros title from his list of major achievements, and was beaten by Alcaraz in a memorable final last year.
The Italian caught up with Alcaraz at the Laureus Awards, and he hopes his rival is soon back on court.
”I talked with him," said Sinner. "We didn’t talk a lot about this topic. I think it’s also very, very private. But I think we all saw that he had a [cast] on. Hopefully, it can help him to get back as soon as possible.
”It’s a very big pity to not have him here, and also Novak [Djokovic] - the two biggest stars in tennis.”
Alcaraz completed the career Grand Slam earlier this year when he beat Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open, becoming the youngest man to achieve the feat.
Sinner recently reclaimed the world No. 1 status from Alcaraz by beating him in the Monte-Carlo Masters final.
Elsewhere at the Laureus Awards, Aryna Sabalenka claimed the Sportswoman of the Year award, joining other tennis greats to win the award including Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin and Naomi Osaka.
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"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," the 27-year-old said.
"But also, a little bit emotional and speechless right now. This is big.
"In all the sports, there are so many great strong, powering, inspiring women who do incredible, inspiring things, and to receive this award means a lot."
TNT Sports is the exclusive French Open broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. Coverage of every court will be available to watch live on HBO Max.
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