Carlos Alcaraz’s French Open withdrawal has sent shock waves through the wider tennis community.
Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion in Paris, has been forced to withdraw from the event after suffering a right wrist injury at the Barcelona Open.
The Spaniard’s withdrawal has seen Jannik Sinner become the clear favourite to win his first French Open title this June, while also improving Novak Djokovic’s and Alexander Zverev’s chances of achieving landmark career goals.
Can anyone now stop Jannik Sinner from winning Roland Garros after Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal?
If yes, who?
Jessica Pegula, the WTA number five, has offered her first reaction to Alcaraz’s Roland Garros withdrawal.
Jessica Pegula believes Carlos Alcaraz made the right decision by withdrawing from Roland Garros
“I just feel like he’s so young. I forgot he is 22. I was like just don’t play,” Pegula remarked on the Player’s Box Podcast.
“You have so long ahead of you and you are already so good. Do not risk that.
“It felt like it was the right decision.”
Jennifer Brady, the 2021 Australian Open finalist and former world number 13, also offered her thoughts on the Spaniard’s withdrawal.
Predicting Roland Garros’ top five seeds following Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal
- 1 – Jannik Sinner
- 2 – Alexander Zverev
- 3 – Novak Djokovic
- 4 – Lorenzo Musetti
- 5 – Ben Shelton
“Obviously it was a really tough decision but hopefully it’s the right decision and he rests and recovers as soon as possible,” the American said.
“We will finally have two new faces in the finals of Madrid, Rome and the French Open!
“Although I do love Carlos. He is one of my favourite players.”
After withdrawing from all clay-court activities, Alcaraz’s next appearance on the Tour is set to be the Queen’s Club Championships.
The event, starting on June 15, is also set to feature British star Jack Draper.
Alcaraz is the two-time defending champion in London. Last year, he defeated Czech player Jiri Lehecka in the final.
How many points will Alcaraz lose during the clay-court swing?
Alcaraz is set to surrender 3,000 ATP ranking points after withdrawing from the Italian Open and Roland Garros.
This is because he won both events in 2025, beating Jannik Sinner in both finals.
If the Spaniard’s injury keeps him away from the court during the grass-court swing, he would lose another chunk of points.
Alcaraz is defending 500 points at the Queen’s Club Championships after winning the 2025 event, and 1,300 points at Wimbledon after reaching last year’s final.
