Carlos Alcaraz addressed the media during the Laureus World Awards, where he had just been named Sportsman of the Year. Despite the celebration, the Spaniard made clear that his wrist injury could prevent him from defending his French Open crown.
Prioritising long-term fitness
Alcaraz emphasised that his career must be managed with patience and caution. “We have a very long career ahead, many years to come. Forcing this Roland Garros could harm me for future tournaments. So let’s wait and see the results of the exams. I’d rather come back a little later, but very well, than come back early rushing and in poor shape,” he said.
A difficult but measured decision
The comments underline his determination to avoid unnecessary risks. Alcaraz has already missed the Madrid Open due to the injury, and his presence in Paris remains uncertain. His words reflect a mature approach, choosing recovery over short-term ambition. The press conference highlighted both his pride in receiving the Laureus award and his pragmatic outlook on the challenges ahead, reinforcing the idea that his focus is firmly on sustaining success across the long journey of his career.
"Temos uma carreira muito longa,muitos anos pela frente.Forçar este Roland Garros pode me prejudicar para os torneios futuros.Então vamos esperar para ver os exames. Eu prefiro voltar um pouco mais tarde, mas muito bem, do que voltar cedo correndo e mal."pic.twitter.com/tz5M0Tyaat
— Carlos Alcaraz Brasil (@carlosalcarazbr) April 20, 2026
Carlos Alcaraz in 2026
Now ranked no.2, Alcaraz played his last match on the 14th of April when he defeated world no.121 Otto Virtanen 6-4 6-2 in the 1st round in Barcelona (draw).
This season Alcaraz achieved a composed 22-3 record. The Spaniard conquered 2 titles in 2026 at the Australian Open and Doha. Alcaraz was the finalist in Monte-Carlo.
