“I don’t see how he can play”: Mouratoglou questions Alcaraz Roland Garros return
ATPThursday, 23 April 2026 at 19:30
Patrick Mouratoglou has expressed serious doubts over Carlos Alcaraz’s chances of competing at Roland Garros, following the Spaniard’s recent injury setback during the clay-court swing. Speaking after Alcaraz’s withdrawal from the Barcelona Open and subsequent decision to skip the Madrid Open, Mouratoglou pointed to the visible condition of the player’s forearm as a major concern.
Alcaraz, currently world No. 2 in the ATP Ranking and a two-time defending champion at Roland Garros, faces a disrupted clay-court campaign. His absence from Madrid, a tournament played in his home country, has reinforced the seriousness of the issue, with further uncertainty surrounding his participation at the Italian Open.
While the exact severity of the injury has not been fully disclosed, the use of a cast has raised alarm among observers. Mouratoglou suggested that even without complete medical clarity, the visible signs point to a recovery timeline that could compromise Alcaraz’s readiness for Paris, where he would be expected to defend one of the biggest titles of his career.
The situation carries broader implications beyond a single tournament. Alcaraz is currently involved in a tight race for the world No. 1 ranking alongside Jannik Sinner, and missing key clay-court events could significantly affect his chances of returning to the top. This is especially relevant considering that in the coming weeks he defends the titles in Rome and Paris, with no possibility of gaining ranking points even if he wins both events.
“I don’t see how he can play Roland Garros”: Injury concerns cast doubt over Alcaraz return
Mouratoglou made clear that his assessment is based on both experience and the limited information available publicly. He acknowledged uncertainty around the precise nature of the injury but indicated that the visual evidence alone raises serious concerns about Alcaraz’s ability to compete at the highest level in the short term. “Based on the information we have and on what we’ve seen of the forearm of Carlos Alcaraz, I don’t see how he can play Roland Garros.”
The presence of a cast, in particular, was highlighted as a negative indicator. Immobilisation of the wrist is necessary in such cases, but it comes with consequences for physical conditioning, especially in a sport that demands constant repetition and timing.
“But my experience tells me if they decided to put a cast, it’s not a good sign,” the former Serena Williams coach added. “First of all, because the wrist has to be completely still. And second, for a week, two weeks, three weeks, I don’t know. The muscles are not going to work at all. The muscles are going to start to shrink and then it will take time to come back.”
“A career is long”: Alcaraz prioritises long-term health despite Roland Garros risk
Despite the uncertainty, Mouratoglou welcomed Alcaraz’s approach to prioritising long-term health over immediate results. The Spaniard’s decision to withdraw from Madrid and potentially skip Rome reflects a strategic choice aimed at avoiding further damage, even at the cost of missing major opportunities during the clay season.
“Of course, it’s a difficult decision to not play in Madrid, which is his home city, and probably not play Rome and maybe skip even Roland Garros. He said, a career is long. I’m not going to jeopardize potentially my career for short term, even though the short term is very important.”
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Alcaraz defeated Sinner in the final of Rome 2025, where the Italian was making his first appearance after a three-month suspension. Weeks later, he went on to win Roland Garros in an epic final, saving three match points to successfully defend the title.
Mouratoglou also acknowledged the broader narrative that could emerge if Alcaraz is unable to compete, with speculation already building around how the draw might shift in his absence. The Spaniard’s situation has quickly become one of the defining storylines heading into the clay-court Grand Slam.
“Carlos is a double defending champion of Roland Garros. He’s also in a race to be number one with Jannik, potentially can miss a second Grand Slam,” the Frenchman mentioned. “A lot of people say that if Carlos doesn’t play Roland Garros, then Sinner would become the clear favourite for the title.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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