World No. 1 Jannik Sinner offered a measured response when asked about his communication with world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, choosing to keep personal matters out of the spotlight while still acknowledging the void left by his rival’s injury. Speaking after a straight-sets win in Madrid, Sinner made it clear that while the tennis world is feeling Alcaraz’s absence, some conversations are better left behind closed doors.
Jannik Sinner Addresses Carlos Alcaraz’s Absence From Madrid Open
The landscape of men’s tennis has shifted dramatically this month following the news that Alcaraz has officially ended his clay-court season. The trouble began in mid-April at the Barcelona Open, when Alcaraz experienced significant discomfort in his right wrist during an opening-round victory over Otto Virtanen.
Although he managed to win that match, the pain intensified afterward, leading to an immediate withdrawal from the tournament. Subsequent medical scans revealed the issue was more serious than initially suspected, involving a combination of tendon inflammation and cartilage damage.
Since that initial flare-up, the injury has forced the Spanish star to withdraw from a series of high-profile events. After pulling out of Barcelona, Alcaraz was forced to skip his home Masters 1000 in Madrid for the second consecutive year.
The situation culminated just a few days ago, on April 24, when he announced he would also miss the Italian Open and, most significantly, the 2026 French Open. This marks a massive blow for the tour, as Alcaraz was the two-time defending champion at Roland Garros and was aiming for a “three-peat” after completing his career Grand Slam at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Addressing the situation after defeating Denmark’s Elmer Møller 6-2, 6-3 in the third round of the Madrid Open, Sinner was direct but restrained when asked whether he had reached out to Alcaraz. “I think that’s quite personal, so I won’t answer,” he said, drawing a clear line between public discourse and private matters. “His absence is felt not just here, maybe especially here in Spain, but it’ll probably be felt even more in Roland Garros.”
How Carlos Alcaraz’s Injury Impacts the ATP Rankings
The decision to shut down his clay campaign was made after further medical testing confirmed that continuing to play would risk long-term or permanent damage. Alcaraz and his team have publicly stated that they are prioritizing his health and recovery over immediate titles.
MORE: Jannik Sinner Stunned by Carlos Alcaraz’s Rome and Paris Abandonment
Despite the physical setback, he was recently honored as the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, though he appeared at the ceremony with his wrist immobilized. The focus now shifts entirely to his rehabilitation, with a view to returning in time for the grass-court season and Wimbledon in June.
From a competitive standpoint, Alcaraz’s absence has major implications for the ATP rankings. Having lost the World No. 1 spot to Sinner following the Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this month, he is now set to drop roughly 3,000 ranking points by being unable to defend his titles in Rome and Paris.
This provides Sinner with a significant opportunity to extend his lead at the top of the rankings and potentially target his own career Grand Slam in Paris. Looking ahead, top seed Sinner will take on 19th seed Cameron Norrie in the Round of 16 in Madrid. This will be their first meeting on the ATP Tour, with the winner facing either Vit Kopriva or local wildcard Rafael Jódar in the quarterfinals.
