French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz emphasized on Monday that he prioritizes his long-term health over defending his Roland Garros title in May, as he deals with a significant wrist injury. The 22-year-old withdrew from the Barcelona clay-court tournament last week after experiencing discomfort in his wrist during a match, later revealing that the injury was more severe than initially anticipated.
Subsequently, Alcaraz also pulled out of the Madrid Open, raising uncertainties about his participation in the upcoming Paris event starting on May 18. During an award ceremony on Monday, he reiterated his cautious approach, stating his preference for a delayed return to competition to ensure he is fully fit and healthy.
Acknowledging the risks of returning prematurely, Alcaraz emphasized the importance of his long-term career prospects, expressing concerns that pushing himself too hard at Roland Garros could have negative repercussions for future tournaments. Despite the setbacks, he accepted the realities of professional sports and underscored the need for a thorough recovery process to avoid potential long-term consequences.
Following his defeat in the Monte Carlo Masters final on April 12, Alcaraz relinquished his world number two ranking. Notably, he had enjoyed a successful streak on clay, winning his last 17 matches on the surface, culminating in victories at Rome and Roland Garros in the previous season.
