Friday brought news from Carlos Alcaraz: Rome and Paris are off the schedule. His clay season wraps up sooner than planned. A wrist problem showed up mid-month, sticking around longer than expected. Scans followed, then discussions with doctors. Rather than push through pain, he stepped back. Competition takes a pause while healing begins. Ranked second globally, his absence shifts attention to others on tour.

That Spanish player aimed to keep his winning streak alive at two big events after dominating on clay courts before. A victory in Paris stood out most; he pulled through by fending off three match points against Jannik Sinner in an intense showdown. This time around, healing comes first since pushing too hard might worsen things.

Sinner set to lead the field in Carlos Alcaraz’s absence

Carlos Alcaraz said stepping back wasn’t simple, yet needed. Watching how healing goes comes first, he stressed, ahead of any comeback plans. Losing points now is part of it: Rome’s 1,000, Paris’s 2,000, both slipping away. That gap to Sinner up front, it stretches wider.
Out on the sidelines, Alcaraz misses another shot at Sinner, a clash many hoped would light up the clay again.

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Lately, it's been the Italian calling the shots, winning in Monte Carlo while climbing back to number one. Without the Spaniard in sight, all eyes shift as Sinner steps into Paris with the first pick. That spotlight waits steady, quiet for him alone.

A bright spot waits for Alcaraz. Even with the injury slowing him down, he just took home the World Sportsman of the Year title at the Laureus Awards, edging out strong names such as Sinner. Right now, while he steps back, veterans like Novak Djokovic might find more space, players who’ve gone head-to-head with both rising talents in recent major tournaments.
Starting May 24 till June 7, the 2026 French Open unfolds, minus a key titleholder who won’t be returning. Though play begins on schedule, one major presence will be missing this time around.