Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are destined to forever have their careers intertwined, and they are well aware of this link.
After all, they continue to face one another in the crucial stages of the sport’s biggest events, both giving and taking away from one another in their shared pursuit of greatness.
For some, such competition might lead to bitterness, but their relationship is actually one of immense mutual respect.
That would explain why Jannik Sinner was so downtrodden to hear the news that Alcaraz would not be playing Roland Garros this year, forced to withdraw due to a wrist injury.
Jannik Sinner’s heartwarming message for Carlos Alcaraz after Roland Garros withdrawal
Sinner had given his initial reaction to Alcaraz’s withdrawal straight after his first match in Madrid, but has since offered a more insightful outlook into this shocking revelation.
Chatting at his press conference, the world number one was asked whether he now considers himself the favourite for both Rome and Roland Garros after this news.
How worried are you about Carlos Alcaraz’s injury?
Carlos Alcaraz will miss Rome and Roland Garros…
However, he was keen to distance himself from such pressure, instead taking the opportunity to send his sympathy to his great rival.
Sinner claimed: “I think this is not what we should talk about. I think the most important thing is to say that, you know, first of all, tennis needs Carlos. Tennis is a much better spirit when he’s around, and also for me personally.”
He would expand on why Carlos Alcaraz makes the sport better for him, adding: “You know, it’s nice when he’s around. It makes me look also in the draw, in single matches, you know, in a different way, even though if I would face Carlos, it would always be in the final, being, you know, [the] number one and two seed. That’s the case.
“But yeah, you know, being young, going through difficult moments, it can happen. I do believe he’s gonna come back stronger than before, but injuries is always tough, you know, especially wrists. There are certain areas of our body that are very sensitive, and you know, the wrist we saw with those other players in the past that they can complicate, you know, our lives.
“So I hope he’s gonna come back and he will not have any further injuries.”
Sinner finished by praising the bravery of the decision to sacrifice the short-term for the betterment of his career: “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 that he is competitive from when he’s going to come back.
“Well, in this case, now his next goal, I guess, for him, and I hope so, is Wimbledon. You know, so I hope he’s going to be back there. It’s always a long way in any case. So this is all secondary now, you know.
“I send him a speedy recovery, even though it’s painful and very sad for all of tennis.”
Roland Garros 2026: A huge opportunity for the rest of the field
Whilst Sinner is undeniably now the overwhelming favourite to win Roland Garros, the opportunity for the rest of the field has increased significantly.
After all, Novak Djokovic has already shown that the 24-year-old is not unbeatable at majors, having toppled him in the Australian Open semi-finals earlier this year.
Can anyone now stop Jannik Sinner from winning Roland Garros after Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal?
If yes, who?
In a one-off match, Sinner can lose, and the likes of the Serbian, Alexander Zverev and even someone like Arthur Fils will be licking their lips at this opportunity.
Previously, it seemed impossible to bypass both Alcaraz and his rival to claim a Grand Slam title.
But, with one of them now ruled out, the chance is there, if somebody has the bravery to take it.
