Jannik Sinner reacts to 'painful and very sad' Carlos Alcaraz withdrawal from French Open - 'Tennis needs Carlos'
By Ben Southby
Published 24/04/2026 at 22:12 GMT+1
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Jannik Sinner has shared his thoughts on Carlos Alcaraz's withdrawal from Roland-Garros, saying that it is "painful and very sad" that the Spaniard has had to pull out with an injury.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Image credit: Getty Images
Alcaraz confirmed on social media that he had no choice but to withdraw from both the upcoming Italian Open and French Open due to a wrist injury.
World No. 1 Sinner's chances of securing a career Grand Slam have no doubt been boosted by Alcaraz's absence, whom he beat in April to win the Monte-Carlo Masters title.
After his 6-7(6) 6-1 6-4 comeback victory against Benjamin Bonzi at the Madrid Open, Sinner was asked whether Alcaraz's injury makes him the favourite in Rome and Paris.
"I don't know," Sinner said in his press conference. "I think this is not what we should talk about. I think the most important thing to say is that, first of all, tennis needs Carlos - tennis is [in] a much better spirit when he's around.
"And also for me personally, it's nice when he's around, it makes me look also in the draw and single matches in a different way. Even though if I face Carlos, it would always be in the final, being the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, that's the case.
"I send him a speedy recovery, even though it's painful and very sad for tennis."
Despite Alcaraz, the back-to-back defending Roland-Garros champion, being forced to miss out on his first Grand Slam since the Australian Open in 2023, Sinner feels the 22-year-old will only come back stronger.
"Being young and going through difficult moments, it can happen," Sinner said.
"I do believe he's going to come back stronger than before. But injury is always tough, especially [the] wrist.
"There are certain areas of our body which are very sensitive, and the wrist we saw with those other players in the past can complicate our lives.
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"I hope he's going to come back and he will not have any further injuries.
"But I also believe that it's good that he and his team takes the time, you know, because if you come back too early then maybe you have a bigger problem afterwards, and we all want him to be competitive when he comes back."
Sinner 'struggled quite a lot' in Madrid opener
After practising at Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium earlier this week alongside Rafael Nadal, Jude Bellingham and Thibaut Courtois, Sinner continued his bright start to the clay swing.
He came through his Madrid opener against Bonzi after dropping the first set, and despite securing a tie against Elmer Moller in the second round, admitted that he found it tough.
"I struggled quite a lot, but I knew this before the match that it is a very unique court and conditions," Sinner said after the match.
"But I believe every day is different, so hopefully I can improve slightly for the next round. I tried to stay calm mentally and that is why I won today.
"I have some time tomorrow and will try to use it in a positive way."
TNT Sports is the exclusive French Open broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. Coverage of every court will be available to stream live on HBO Max.
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