Zverev: Biggest Impact of Alcaraz’s Absence from Roland Garros

By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, May 10, 2026
Photo credit: Phil Walter/Getty

Carlos Alcaraz’s absence from Roland Garros opens opportunity for the rest of the French Open field.

Alexander Zverev says one man will feel the effects of Alcaraz’s absence the most: Jannik Sinner.

Speaking to the media in Rome after his 6-1, 6-4 sweep of Alexander Blockx today, Zverev said Sinner will feel more pressure as massive favorite with two-time Roland Garros champion Alcaraz out of Paris nursing a wrist injury.

World No. 1 Sinner, who held three championship points over Alcaraz before bowing in the epic 2025 French Open final, is playing to complete the career Grand Slam in Paris.

Alcaraz and Sinner have combined to capture the last nine consecutive Grand Slam championships. Surveying a French Open field without his archrival is a double-edged sword for the Wimbledon champion, says Zverev who says Sinner carries even more expectation to win without Alcaraz’s presence.

“I think the biggest difference is probably makes for Jannik because he’s now really, really the heavy favorite,” Zverev told the media in Rome. “Carlos on a clay court when he’s healthy, equal or even above Jannik in favoritism just purely on a clay court, especially at Roland Garros, being a two-time champion there already.

“But for me, I got to focus on the things that I can control and try to improve again to try to beat Jannik. That’s the important thing. Getting there is also important, right? You can’t talk about someone you might face in the finals before winning the first six matches.”

The 24-year-old Sinner is aiming to become the first Italian man to win Roland Garros since legendary Adriano Panatta defeated American Harold Solomon 6–1, 6–4, 4–6, 7–6(3) to capture the 1976 Roland Garros championship. Francesca Schiavone stopped Samantha Stosur to win the 2010 Roland Garros women’s crown.