Feliciano Lopez Casts Doubt on Carlos Alcaraz Participation in Rome and French Open Following Wrist Injury

Feliciano Lopez warns that Carlos Alcaraz may miss Rome and the French Open due to wrist tendon issues. Get the latest on the world No. 2's recovery.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 3:37 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

A Somber Outlook from the Madrid Tournament Director

Feliciano Lopez has expressed significant concern regarding the recovery timeline for Carlos Alcaraz as the European clay-court season enters its most critical phase. Speaking with Radioestadio Noche, Lopez indicated that a return for the Italian Open in Rome appears highly unlikely based on the nature of the Spaniard's wrist ailment. While the former world No. 12 clarified that he has not spoken to Alcaraz directly since the injury flared up, he emphasized that the complexity of wrist tendons often requires an extended period of rest that the current ATP calendar simply does not afford.

The Lingering Impact of the Monte Carlo Campaign

The physical strain on Alcaraz intensified following a high-intensity run at the Monte Carlo Masters, where he reached the final before falling to Jannik Sinner. That defeat was particularly significant as it marked Alcaraz's first clay-court loss to the Italian in nearly four years and resulted in the relinquishing of his world No. 1 ranking. Lopez theorized that the world No. 2 arrived at subsequent events with significant fatigue, potentially leaving him vulnerable to the tendon inflammation that has now disrupted his title defenses in both Barcelona and Madrid.

Comparisons to Historical Recovery Timelines

Drawing from personal experience, Lopez shared that a similar wrist injury once sidelined him for approximately two months. He noted that the intricate network of tendons in the wrist makes it difficult for a professional to even grip a racket during the initial stages of recovery. If Alcaraz's condition follows a similar trajectory, the eight-week window required for full rehabilitation would not only rule out the tournament in Rome but would also place his participation at Roland Garros in severe jeopardy. According to Lopez, the current situation is not a simple muscle strain but a more delicate structural issue.