Carlos Alcaraz hasn’t played a match since injuring his wrist at the Barcelona Open.
The Spaniard has since withdrawn from the Madrid Open, the Italian Open, the French Open, the Queen’s Club Championships, and Wimbledon.
Is it time to start panicking about Carlos Alcaraz?
He's out of another Grand Slam…
As Alcaraz continues his recovery, former world number one Jim Courier shared his thoughts.
Jim Courier tells Carlos Alcaraz to take his time before returning to tennis
During an interview reported by ‘Clay‘, Courier praised Alcaraz for his cautious approach.
“I think that Carlos [Alcaraz] is being very wise and being cautious with the wrist,” said Courier.
“I think there are sadly some cautionary tales of players that have had their careers completely derailed by wrist injuries.
“Juan Martin Del Potro is the prime example of a player who was a champion and will always be a champion, but as we look at what his career might have been, had he stayed healthy, we will always wonder.
“And I don’t want to be sitting here in 20 years, wondering what Carlos Alcaraz might have achieved if he had just taken a little bit more time to take care of his wrist.
“He’s so smart to be careful with the wrist.”
Argentinian tennis legend Juan Martin del Potro won the 2009 US Open, but he never fulfilled his potential, failing to recover from various injuries, including a wrist problem.
Courier believes Alcaraz is taking the right approach, and thinks his fellow Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, would agree.
“The wrist is a very delicate area on the body. And [Rafael] Nadal is a warrior, no question about that. I think Alcaraz is a warrior, too. You can ask Rafa what he thinks about what Carlos is doing. I’m sure he would support what Carlos is doing because I think there’s just real logic to it,” said Courier.
“You take your time, you make sure that you’re ready.
“Take your time and make sure that you’re right when you come back.”
Alcaraz won’t rush his return, but will be well aware of what is happening on tour while he sits on the sidelines.
Who would Carlos Alcaraz have played at the French Open?
The Spaniard would have been the second seed for the French Open, placed on the opposite half of the draw to Italy’s Jannik Sinner.
When Alcaraz withdrew, Alexander Zverev took his spot and received the following draw.
Alexander Zverev’s French Open draw
| Round | Highest-ranked potential opponent | Potential seeded opponents |
| 1R | Benjamin Bonzi (98) | – |
| 2R | Zizou Bergs (38) | – |
| 3R | Ugo Humbert (34) | [32] Ugo Humbert |
| 4R | Karen Khachanov (15) | [13] Karen Khachanov |
| QF | Taylor Fritz (8) | [7] Taylor Fritz, [12] Jiri Lehecka, [21] Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, [27] Rafael Jodar |
| SF | Novak Djokovic (4) | [3] Novak Djokovic, [8] Alex de Minaur, [11] Andrey Rublev, [15] Casper Ruud, [23] Tomas Martin Etcheverry, [24] Tommy Paul, [26] Jakub Mensik, [28] Joao Fonseca |
| F | Jannik Sinner (1) | [1] Jannik Sinner, [4] Felix Auger-Aliassime, [5] Ben Shelton, [6] Daniil Medvedev, [9] Alexander Bublik, [10] Flavio Cobolli, [14] Luciano Darderi, [16] Valentin Vacherot, [18] Learner Tien, [19] Frances Tiafoe, [20] Cameron Norrie, [22] Arthur Rinderknech, [25] Francisco Cerundolo, [29] Tallon Griekspoor, [30] Corentin Moutet, [31] Brandon Nakashima |
Zverev hasn’t been given an easy draw by any means, but will be expected to qualify for the semi-finals, where he could meet Novak Djokovic.
Then, in the final, he could play the world number one, Sinner.
Had Alcaraz been given this draw, he would have been backed by many to reach the final, setting up a rematch of last year’s Championship match.
Unfortunately for Alcaraz, he will have to watch from home as one of his rivals lifts the trophy he won in 2024 and 2025.
Only time will tell who will emerge victorious in Paris, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.
The 2026 French Open main draw begins on Sunday, May 24.
