MADRID – Carlos Alcaraz’s wrist injury is more serious than expected, to the point that the world No. 2 cast doubt on Monday over his participation at Roland Garros at the end of May.
“Well, we’ll see,” Alcaraz told TVE, Spain’s public broadcaster, when asked whether the second Grand Slam of the season was at risk. “The next test will be crucial, and we’re trying to do everything we can to make sure it goes well.”
🎾 Carlos Alcaraz no asegura su presencia en Roland Garros.
El tenis murciano ha confirmado a @La1_tve que está esperando pruebas médicas para tomar una decisión.
📺 La gala de los premios Laureus, esta noche, a las 20:00 en @la2_tve pic.twitter.com/Dx3zT3bB9a
— Teledeporte (@teledeporte) April 20, 2026
Alcaraz, who will turn 23 on May 5, injured his right wrist during his debut at the ATP 500 in Barcelona last week. The Spaniard was able to finish the match, but after undergoing medical tests he announced his withdrawal from the tournament. A few days later, he confirmed on social media that he would also miss the Madrid Masters 1000.
And this Monday, the day the preliminary phase kicked off at the Caja Mágica, he reappeared in public at the Laureus Awards with an immobilizing splint on his right wrist. The purpose of this device is to prevent the joint from being subjected to any kind of stress and to avoid any unexpected movement or impact.
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“I’m trying to be very patient. We’re waiting a little while; we have some tests in a few days, and from there we’ll see what the injury is like and the next steps. I’m trying to stay positive and upbeat, although these days are dragging on,” the protégé of Samuel López explained in an interview with TVE. Later, during the Laureus gala, Alcaraz added: “Things could be better or worse. Hopefully, we can return as soon as possible. I can’t give a timeframe because we don’t know. I do guarantee that I’m going to do everything I can to return as soon as possible.”
“We’re waiting a bit; we have some tests in a few days, and from there we’ll see what the injury is like and what the next steps will be. I’m trying to stay positive and keep my spirits up, even though these days are dragging on,” Alcaraz, coached by Samuel López, elaborated. “I have a very long career ahead of me, many years, and pushing myself too hard at this French Open could seriously hurt my chances in future tournaments. I’d rather come back a little later and in top form than come back early, rushing, and out of shape. I have to take care of myself, because my career could be very long,” Alcaraz said. “We’ll see how the tournament goes, let’s see what happens.”
Depending on the results of those tests and how the pain in the joint evolves, Alcaraz will have to decide whether to compete at the Rome Masters 1000, scheduled from May 6 to 17. A week later, on May 24, Roland Garros begins in Paris — one of Alcaraz’s main targets this season and where he is the defending champion.
“I’ve had that injury,” former Spanish player Feliciano López, now tournament director of the Madrid Open, said on Onda Cero radio. “I haven’t spoken with him or his doctor. In the end, it’s a very typical tennis injury. The wrist tendon is inflamed and we hope it’s not torn. Now he has to recover. It’s not a muscle overload injury from coming tired from Monte Carlo. The wrist has many bones and tendons… I was out for two months. I don’t know the extent of his injury, but I couldn’t even hold a racket. Rome seems almost impossible for him, hopefully he can make it to Roland Garros.”
With more than a month still to go before the event in Paris, the present for the world No. 2 is full of uncertainty. Alarm bells are ringing.
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