Carlos Alcaraz’s participation at Roland Garros remains uncertain as the Spanish star continues to manage a lingering right forearm injury sustained during his Barcelona Open semifinal loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas last month. The world No. 3 admitted after his straight-sets defeat in Madrid that the result of his upcoming practice sessions will be “crucial” in determining whether he can compete at the second Grand Slam of the season, which begins on May 26 at Stade Roland Garros in Paris.
The 21-year-old, who won the French Open in 2022 as a teenager, has been seen training with a noticeable compression sleeve on his right arm and reportedly wore a protective brace during practice sessions in Madrid. Tournament officials confirmed Alcaraz remains entered in the men’s singles draw as of May 15, but his status could change if medical evaluations indicate heightened risk of aggravation.
Alcaraz’s camp has not released an official medical bulletin, but the player himself acknowledged discomfort during his Madrid loss, stating he felt “tightness” in the forearm during his backhand follow-through. The injury occurred midway through the second set of his Barcelona semifinal, where he ultimately retired while trailing Tsitsipas 6-4, 3-0. Medical staff attended to him courtside, and he later described the sensation as a “sharp pull” near the elbow tendon.
Roland Garros tournament director Amélie Mauresmo told French media outlet L’Équipe that the event’s medical team is in contact with Alcaraz’s representatives but emphasized that final clearance rests with the player and his physicians. “We follow the ATP’s injury protocols and respect player autonomy regarding fitness declarations,” Mauresmo said. “Until we receive official withdrawal documentation, he remains in the draw.”
The ATP’s official injury report, updated May 12, lists Alcaraz as “questionable” for Roland Garros due to a “right forearm strain,” the same designation applied after his Barcelona withdrawal. No timeline for return has been provided by his team, though sources close to the player indicated to Reuters that a final decision will likely come 48–72 hours before the tournament’s opening match.
Should Alcaraz withdraw, it would mark his first absence from a Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open, where he exited in the quarterfinals due to abdominal tightness. His absence would significantly reshape the men’s draw, particularly in the quarterfinal projection where he was slated to potentially face Novak Djokovic or Casper Ruud. Djokovic, seeking a record-extending 25th major title, would then face a clearer path to the semifinals in Alcaraz’s absence.
On clay, Alcaraz holds a 24–5 record in 2024 entering the European swing, including titles in Barcelona and Monte Carlo. His only losses on the surface this season came to Tsitsipas in Barcelona and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Monte Carlo — both matches where he admitted to physical limitations affecting his movement and shot preparation.
The Spaniard’s potential absence would also impact French Open betting markets, where he was listed as the third favorite behind Djokovic and Jannik Sinner according to odds compiled by OddsChecker on May 10. Withdrawal would shift those probabilities, likely elevating Sinner to co-favorite status alongside the Serbian veteran.
Alcaraz’s preparation has been further complicated by scheduling. After Madrid, he skipped the Italian Open in Rome to prioritize recovery, a decision confirmed by his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero in a press conference on May 8. “We chose rest over match practice to allow the inflammation to subside,” Ferrero said. “It’s not ideal, but protecting his long-term health is the priority.”
The decision to bypass Rome — a traditional Roland Garros warm-up — raises questions about his match readiness should he clear medical hurdles. Players who skip the Italian Open have historically struggled to find rhythm at Roland Garros; since 2019, only Dominic Thiem (2020 finalist) and Alexander Zverev (2023 semifinalist) have reached the semifinals after withdrawing from Rome.
Ferrero acknowledged the risk but maintained the approach was medically necessary. “Carlos has played a lot of tennis since January,” he noted. “His body needs time to recover from the cumulative load. We’d rather enter Paris at 80% and build than push now and risk missing months.”
Should Alcaraz compete, his first-round opponent would be qualifier Jesper de Jong, whom he has never faced on tour. A potential second-round match against either Lorenzo Musetti or Felipe Meligeni Alves would present early tests, particularly if his forehand — typically his biggest weapon — remains compromised by forearm discomfort.
The broader implications extend beyond Paris. Alcaraz is scheduled to defend his Wimbledon title beginning July 1, and any setback at Roland Garros could affect his grass-court preparation. He has not played a warm-up event at Stuttgart or Queen’s Club in recent years, opting instead to transition directly from clay to grass — a strategy that succeeded in 2023 when he won Wimbledon after a French Open semifinal run.
For now, the tennis world waits. Alcaraz is expected to provide an update via his social media channels or through his management team by late May 17, ahead of the Grand Slam committee’s final entry deadline. Until then, his status remains one of the most closely monitored storylines in men’s tennis heading into the second major of the year.
What’s next: Roland Garros qualifying begins May 20, with the main draw starting May 26. Alcaraz’s official withdrawal or confirmation of participation is expected no later than May 24. Follow Archysport for real-time updates as the situation develops.
