Jannik Sinner Encourages Carlos Alcaraz to Prioritize Recovery from Injury

Jannik Sinner has voiced his support for Carlos Alcaraz, who recently announced his withdrawal from the ATP Rome and Roland Garros tournaments due to a wrist injury. Sinner emphasized the importance of recovery and expressed disappointment at missing the chance to compete against Alcaraz, whom he regards as the best player on clay. Alcaraz's absence opens up opportunities for other players, including Sinner, who is aiming for a Career Grand Slam after winning major titles but lacking a Roland Garros victory. This year could be pivotal for Sinner as he seeks to capitalize on Alcaraz's absence.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 25, 2026, 12:16 IST

Sinner's Support for Alcaraz

Jannik Sinner has expressed his concern for two-time French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz, urging him to take his time recovering from a wrist injury. Alcaraz made headlines on April 25 when he announced his withdrawal from the upcoming ATP Rome and Roland Garros tournaments. Last year, he triumphed in both events, defeating Sinner in the final. Sinner lamented Alcaraz's absence from Roland Garros, labeling him the top player on clay, and expressed hope for his swift recovery ahead of Wimbledon. He remarked on the disappointment of not facing Alcaraz at Roland Garros, stating, “That’s very tough. With these kinds of injuries, you have to go very, very slow. It’s sad for tennis. Carlos is the defending champion, and as a competitor, I always want to play against the best in the world.” Sinner added, “He’s definitely the best in the world on this surface. It’s sad news. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he’s ready for Wimbledon.”

Jannik Sinner on Carlos Alcaraz's withdrawal from Roland Garros: "It's sad for tennis. 💔 You always want to play the best in the world. He's definitely the best in the world on this surface.. I wish him to recover as fast as possible" (via teleportertve) pic.twitter.com/eqCM2HGQr4
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 24, 2026

Alcaraz's Injury Update

What Did Alcaraz Say?

Alcaraz sustained his injury during the first round of the Barcelona Open, leading to his withdrawal from that tournament and the ongoing ATP Madrid. He mentioned that he would await scan results before making a final decision, emphasizing his commitment to recovery. However, on Friday, he confirmed his absence from Roland Garros, stating, "After the results of the tests carried out today, we have decided that the most prudent thing to do is to be cautious and not participate in Rome or Roland Garros, while we assess the situation to determine when we can return to the court," via an Instagram post. Sinner expressed confidence that Alcaraz would return stronger, highlighting the importance of allowing the wrist adequate time to heal, as such injuries can be particularly challenging for athletes.

Sinner's Aspirations

Sinner Targets Career Slam

This year, Alcaraz secured the Australian Open, achieving a Career Grand Slam. In contrast, Sinner has yet to complete this milestone, having won the Australian Open, US Open, and Wimbledon, but still lacking a title at Roland Garros. He came close to winning his first title last year, only to be thwarted by Alcaraz in a thrilling five-set match. With Alcaraz absent this year, defeating Sinner in a Grand Slam will be a significant challenge for other competitors. Alexander Zverev, the second-best player after Alcaraz, has struggled against Sinner, losing eight consecutive matches to him. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic, who recently ended the narrative of Sinner's invincibility by defeating him at the Australian Open 2026, will face a tough task at Roland Garros, as maintaining peak fitness on clay is demanding. This year presents Sinner with a prime opportunity to achieve a Career Grand Slam.