“Madrid no, Rome seems almost impossible”: Feliciano Lopez raises concern over Carlos Alcaraz injury
ATPMonday, 20 April 2026 at 12:30
Feliciano Lopez, tournament director of the Madrid Open, offered a cautious assessment of Carlos Alcaraz’s wrist injury, raising doubts about his short-term recovery ahead of a key stretch of the clay-court season. Drawing on his own experience, the former world No. 12 suggested that this type of issue can be more limiting than it initially appears.
Alcaraz, currently world No. 2, had already withdrawn from the Barcelona Open prior to his second-round match following discomfort in the same area. The 22-year-old opened his campaign with a win over Otto Virtanen but was unable to continue, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming Masters 1000 events.
The withdrawal from Madrid marks the second consecutive year Alcaraz will miss the tournament. In 2025, he was sidelined by an adductor injury sustained during the Barcelona final against Holger Rune. This time, the issue centres on the wrist, an area Lopez described as structurally complex and difficult to manage under competitive conditions.
The timing is significant. Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros form a decisive sequence in the clay season, with a combined total of 4,000 ranking points available. Alcaraz enters this stretch as defending champion in Paris, while trailing Jannik Sinner in the ATP rankings.
Lopez outlines concerns over wrist injury timeline
Lopez drew from personal experience when discussing the injury, identifying it as a common issue among players but one that can require extended recovery depending on severity. He indicated that wrist problems differ from typical fatigue-related injuries and often limit basic playing functions.
“I’ve had that injury. It’s a very typical injury in the world of tennis,” the former world No. 12 said in an interview with Radio Estadio Noche regarding Alcaraz’s withdrawal from the Mutua Madrid Open. “I think the wrist tendon is a bit inflamed. I hope it’s not broken. And now it’s time to recover, because it’s not a muscle injury due to overload.”
He also emphasised the structural complexity of the wrist, noting that even minor inflammation can have a significant impact on performance. In his own case, the inability to grip the racket defined the extent of the problem. “It’s an injury because the wrist has many small bones, tendons. I’ve been out for two months, more or less. When it happened to me, I couldn’t even hold the racket in my hand. And the game was over.”
Based on that experience, Lopez suggested that a return in Rome appears unlikely, shifting the realistic timeline toward Roland Garros. The priority, in his view, is recovery rather than rushing a return during the Masters 1000 stage. “Madrid no, Rome seems almost impossible. I hope it’s for Roland Garros.”
Ranking implications as Sinner extends lead
The implications extend directly to the ATP rankings, where Carlos Alcaraz has lost a key opportunity to close the gap on Jannik Sinner. The Spaniard currently sits on 12,960 points, trailing Sinner’s 13,350, and his withdrawal from Madrid removes any chance to add to that total during the Masters 1000 event.
That context frames the urgency highlighted by Lopez, the tournament director of the Madrid Open, who pointed to both the timing and the stakes surrounding Alcaraz’s recovery. “Well, it’s an important season for him. It’s true that Carlos wins all the time, but now comes Madrid, then Rome, and then Roland Garros, where he defends the title. There are 4,000 points at stake and the prestige of three great tournaments.”
With Alcaraz sidelined in Madrid, Sinner enters the tournament without points to defend, having missed the 2025 edition, meaning each win in Spain directly increases his advantage at the top of the rankings.
The pressure intensifies in the following events. Alcaraz is defending 1,000 points in Rome as the reigning champion, while Sinner has 650 points from his runner-up finish. At Roland Garros, the gap becomes even more significant, with Alcaraz defending 2,000 points as champion compared to 1,300 for Sinner as finalist.
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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