French Open winner Carlos Alcaraz emphasized on Monday that he would prioritize proper treatment for a “serious” wrist injury over rushing to defend his Roland Garros title in May. The 22-year-old withdrew from the Barcelona tournament due to his wrist giving out during a return, revealing the injury to be more severe than anticipated. Subsequently, he also pulled out of the Madrid Open, raising doubts about his participation in Paris starting May 18.
During an award ceremony on Monday, Alcaraz expressed his decision to take a long-term perspective on his recovery. He stated, “I’d prefer returning later but in optimal condition rather than rushing back and risking my health.” Alcaraz emphasized the importance of safeguarding his future career prospects, acknowledging that pushing himself too hard at Roland Garros could have negative repercussions on upcoming tournaments.
Despite losing his top ranking after a defeat in the Monte Carlo Masters final on April 12, Alcaraz had previously enjoyed a 17-match winning streak on clay. This streak included victories in Rome and at Roland Garros last season. Alcaraz affirmed the need for thorough recovery to prevent any long-term impact on his performance in the future.