The 2026 French Open may look a little different this year, as it is currently unclear whether Carlos Alcaraz will be able to play at Roland Garros due to a wrist injury. Alcaraz has won the last two French Open titles, including a tough five-hour come-from-behind victory over Jannik Sinner last year.
At a press conference ahead of the Laureus Trophy in Madrid on Monday, where he was named Sportsman of the Year, Alcaraz said he was awaiting further tests on his wrist before deciding whether he could compete in this year’s French Open.
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“I’ve been trying to be very patient lately, but things are going well,” he said in Spanish via Teledeporte, adding that he was trying to “stay positive.”
Alcaraz has already missed the Madrid Open, which begins Monday. Alcaraz announced in a social media post on Friday that missing the tournament was “incredibly difficult,” adding that it “hurts” not to be able to play in front of crowds in his native Spain. This is the second year in a row that Alcaraz will miss the Madrid Open, missing last year due to injuries to both legs.
Additionally, the Spanish restaurant posted a photo on Monday of Alcaraz visiting one of its locations. Alcaraz’s elaborate wrist splint is clearly visible in the photo.
Alcaraz and Sinner have completely dominated men’s tennis for the past three years, exchanging titles in major tournaments. The last time someone other than Alcaraz or Sinner won a men’s Grand Slam was in 2023, when Novak Djokovic won the US Open. Since then, Alcaraz and Sinner have teamed up in the past nine Grand Slams.
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But Alcaraz has won the past two consecutive Grand Slams, becoming the youngest player to win a career Grand Slam when he won the Australian Open in February. He was even more dominant on clay, defeating Sinner at the last two French Opens.
Alcaraz’s absence leaves a spot open for Sinner, who has yet to win at Roland Garros — the only Grand Slam he has yet to win. This would also break the streak for the pair, who have faced each other in six Grand Slam finals, including three last year alone.
Most recently, Sinner defeated Alcaraz at the Monte Carlo Masters to regain the No. 1 spot in the ATP Rankings.
