Greg Rusedski Warns Carlos Alcaraz Over "Serious" Scheduling Errors Following Wrist Injury

Ex-world No. 4 Greg Rusedski warns Carlos Alcaraz that his wrist injury and scheduling mistakes are a major problem for his French Open defense.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 3:32 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

The Physical Toll of an Aggressive Calendar

The 2026 season has hit a critical juncture for Carlos Alcaraz, whose defense of his French Open title is now in jeopardy following a right wrist injury. The setback occurred during the Barcelona Open, which was Alcaraz’s sixth match in a grueling eight-day window that included a run to the final at the Monte Carlo Masters. According to analyst Greg Rusedski, this injury is a direct consequence of "overplaying," specifically the decision to compete in Monte Carlo immediately following a demanding hard-court season. Rusedski argued that Alcaraz’s commitment to every event he signs up for is commendable but physically unsustainable.

Financial Incentives vs. Professional Longevity

A central theme of the critique involves Alcaraz’s participation in exhibition matches, which Rusedski believes should be eliminated from his schedule. Despite lucrative appearance fees and a reported $200 million contract with Nike, the former British number one suggested that the primary focus must shift toward "scheduling properly" rather than maximizing short-term revenue. He proposed a more traditional Spanish clay-court build-up: skipping Monte Carlo to ensure full fitness for the Barcelona-Madrid-Rome sequence, followed by a rest week before Roland Garros.

The Void Left by Juan Carlos Ferrero

Rusedski also raised questions regarding the coaching structure surrounding the 22-year-old following his split with Juan Carlos Ferrero in December. While current coach Samuel Lopez has received praise for his technical work, Rusedski suggested that the absence of Ferrero a former world number one and French Open champion may be felt in the boardroom when making scheduling decisions. He noted that Ferrero’s unique understanding of the "rigours and demands" of being a top-ranked Spanish player might have provided the "extra little voice" needed to prevent Alcaraz from overcommitting.