Jannik Sinner speaks out about Carlos Alcaraz’s ‘very sad’ French Open withdrawal
Jannik Sinner declared that it was a “very sad for tennis” as he reacted to the news of Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal from the French Open.
Alcaraz announced on Friday that he had pulled out of both the Italian Open and the French Open due to a wrist injury. The Spaniard won both the Italian Open and the French Open in 2025.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion was forced to pull out of the ATP 500 event in Barcelona last week after suffering the wrist injury in his opening round win.
The world No 2 then withdrew ahead of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid, which began on Wednesday this week.
Alcaraz had not missed a Grand Slam since he was unable to compete at the 2023 Australian Open due to a hamstring injury.
World No 1 Sinner, who is in action at the Madrid Open, was asked if Alcaraz’s withdrawal makes him the favourite for the French Open.
“I don’t know. I think this is not what we should talk about,” replied the 24-year-old Italian.
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“I think the most important thing to say is that, first of all, tennis needs Carlos – tennis is [in] a much better spirit when he’s around.
“And also for me personally, it’s nice when he’s around, it makes me look also in the draw and single matches in a different way. Even though if I face Carlos, it would always be in the final, being the No 1 and No 2 seeds, that’s the case.
“I send him [wishes for] a speedy recovery, even though it’s painful and very sad for tennis.
“Being young and going through difficult moments, it can happen. I do believe he’s going to come back stronger than before. But injury is always tough, especially [the] wrist.
“There are certain areas of our body which are very sensitive, and the wrist, we saw with those other players in the past can complicate our lives.
“I hope he’s going to come back and he will not have any further injuries.
“But I also believe that it’s good that he and his team takes the time, you know, because if you come back too early then maybe you have a bigger problem afterwards, and we all want him to be competitive when he comes back.”
Sinner was speaking after his 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-4 victory over Benjamin Bonzi in his opening match in Madrid, and he admitted he found the conditions in the Spanish capital challenging.
“I struggled quite a lot, but I knew this before the match that it is a very unique court and conditions,” the four-time major champion said.
“But I believe every day is different, so hopefully I can improve slightly for the next round. I tried to stay calm mentally and that is why I won today.
“I have some time tomorrow and will try to use it in a positive way.”
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