Defending champion Alcaraz to miss French Open

Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz says he will miss next month's French Open because of an ongoing wrist injury.

The world number two withdrew from last week's Barcelona Open after sustaining an injury to his right wrist in his first-round victory.

Alcaraz, 22, had tests to determine the severity of the issue and has subsequently pulled out of the Italian Open and French Open - both played on clay courts.

"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," Alcaraz posted on Instagram.

"This is a difficult time for me, but I am sure we will come out of this stronger."

Sinner v Alcaraz - the evolution of a new duopoly

Alcaraz began the year by winning his first Australian Open title - becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam - and would have been looking to kick on further, as he often does when the clay season gets under way.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion won clay-court titles in Monte Carlo, Rome and Roland Garros last season, and reached the final in Barcelona.

He lost the world number one ranking to long-term rival Jannik Sinner this month, after losing to him in the Monte Carlo final, and could lose significant ground to the Italian in the rankings while sidelined.

It also opens up the opportunity for Sinner to secure his own career Grand Slam - winning each of the major tournaments at least once - with the French Open the only one missing from his collection.

Since qualifying for his first Slam in 2021, Spain's Alcaraz has only missed one - when he had to withdraw from the 2023 Australian Open with a hamstring injury.

'Hopefully he can be back for Wimbledon'

Alcaraz and Sinner have emerged as the leading forces in men's tennis over the past two years.

Each of the past nine Grand Slam titles have ended up in one of their hands - Alcaraz winning five and Sinner taking four.

Speaking after beating Benjamin Bonzi at the Madrid Open, Sinner said Alcaraz is "definitely the best player" on clay and wished him a speedy recovery.

"It is very sad news," Sinner said.

"Being that young like he is and like I am, we need to look at our bodies first before worse things [happen].

"Hopefully he can be back for Wimbledon and we all hope for great battles in the future."

Source: BBC