Carlos Alcaraz Will Miss Rome and Roland-Garros Due to Wrist Injury

The bad news was dropped on social media on Friday evening: Carlos Alcaraz, who had to pull out of Barcelona with a wrist injury, then promptly withdrew from Madrid, will now miss Rome and Roland-Garros.

“After the results of the tests carried out today, we have decided that the most prudent thing is to be cautious and not participate in Rome and Roland-Garros, while we wait to assess the evolution to decide when we will return to the court,” the seven-time major champion wrote on Twitter. “It’s a complicated moment for me, but I’m sure we’ll come out stronger from here.”

Alcaraz has won 14 consecutive matches at Roland-Garros as he has become the sports’ premier clay courter on the ATP side. He would have been bidding for a three-peat this year in Paris.

His absence will vault World No. 1 Jannik Sinner into the favorite status at this year’s French Open. Sinner, who held three championshp points in last year’s epic final against Alcaraz, will bid for his first title on the Parisian clay.

Alcaraz’s absence opens the door for other players to squeeze into the final, and if Sinner should falter, we could see a player break the hold that Sinner and Alcaraz have held over major titles. They have won each of the last nine. It also raises the chances of three-time champion Novak Djokovic, who at will turn 39 in Paris (on May 22) as he builds his bid for a record 25th major title.

Alcaraz hinted at a deliberate approach earlier this week at the Lareus Awards, where honored as the 2026 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year.

“We’ll see what comes out of those tests. Let’s see what happens,” said Alcaraz. “I’d rather come back a little later and with a full recovery. I need to take care of myself because I want to have a long career.”