Sam Querrey on Carlos Alcaraz’s French Open Withdrawal: What the Big Three’s History Tells Us

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief of Archysport

PARIS — When Carlos Alcaraz announced his withdrawal from Roland Garros 2026 on April 25, the tennis world reacted with a mix of disappointment and déjà vu. The 23-year-old Spaniard, who had been battling a lingering wrist injury since Indian Wells, became the first reigning men’s world No. 1 to skip the French Open since Novak Djokovic in 2018. His absence leaves a gaping hole in the draw and raises a question that former top-10 player Sam Querrey posed this week: “I think we forget that Rafa [Nadal], Roger [Federer], Novak [Djokovic] — they would miss a Slam here and there, right?”

Querrey’s observation, made during an interview with HarianBasis.co, cuts to the heart of a narrative that has defined men’s tennis for two decades. Although Alcaraz’s withdrawal has dominated headlines, the history of the sport’s most dominant trio suggests that missing a major tournament — even for the game’s greatest players — is not the career-ending anomaly it might seem.

The Big Three’s Precedent: A Pattern of Selective Absences

The so-called “Big Three” — Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer — collectively won 66 Grand Slam singles titles between 2003 and 2023, a record that has redefined the sport. Yet their dominance was never absolute. Records show that each of them missed at least one major tournament during their prime years, often due to injury or strategic rest:

• Novak Djokovic: Skipped the 2017 US Open and 2018 French Open due to elbow surgery, and withdrew from Wimbledon in 2022 after his first-round victory due to a knee injury. His absence from Roland Garros in 2018 — the year Nadal won his 11th title at the tournament — marked the first time since 2005 that neither Djokovic nor Federer competed in Paris.
• Rafael Nadal: Withdrew from the 2016 French Open, where he was the defending champion, due to a wrist injury. He as well missed the 2012 and 2013 Australian Opens, as well as Wimbledon in 2009 and 2016, due to knee and wrist issues. His 2016 withdrawal from Roland Garros ended a streak of 10 consecutive appearances in the tournament’s final.
• Roger Federer: Missed the 2016 French Open and Wimbledon due to knee surgery, and skipped the 2017 Australian Open after a back injury. His absence from Roland Garros in 2016 — a tournament he had won once, in 2009 — was particularly notable given his rivalry with Nadal, who went on to win the title that year.

These absences were not mere footnotes; they reshaped the trajectories of entire seasons. Djokovic’s withdrawal from the 2018 French Open, for example, allowed Nadal to extend his record to 11 titles in Paris, while Federer’s absence from the 2016 French Open gave Nadal a clear path to his ninth title at Roland Garros. Yet, in each case, the player returned to reclaim their place at the top of the sport.

Alcaraz’s Withdrawal: A Strategic Gamble or a Sign of the Times?

Alcaraz’s decision to skip Roland Garros 2026 is not just a personal setback; it reflects the evolving pressures of modern tennis. The Spaniard, who has already won three Grand Slam titles (Wimbledon 2023, US Open 2023, and Australian Open 2025), has been vocal about the physical toll of competing at the highest level. His withdrawal comes on the heels of a grueling 2025 season, during which he played 85 matches — the most of any player in the top 10.

Querrey, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 11 in 2017, told HarianBasis.co that Alcaraz’s decision should be viewed through the lens of the Big Three’s experiences. “These guys [Djokovic, Nadal, Federer] understood that you can’t be at 100% for every Slam,” Querrey said. “Sometimes you have to pick your battles. Alcaraz is young, but he’s also smart. If he needs to miss one to be ready for the next, that’s what he has to do.”

The comparison is not lost on the ATP Tour. Djokovic, who has played through injuries more often than his rivals, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of listening to one’s body. “I’ve had to make tough decisions in my career, and sometimes that means stepping back,” Djokovic said in a 2023 interview with The Guardian. “The key is to arrive back stronger.” Nadal, too, has spoken about the mental and physical demands of sustaining a career at the highest level. “You can’t play every tournament like it’s your last,” Nadal said after his 2016 French Open withdrawal. “The body has limits, and you have to respect them.”

What It Means for Roland Garros 2026

Alcaraz’s absence leaves the French Open without its top seed for the first time since 2018, when Djokovic withdrew. The draw, which was unveiled on April 27, now features Jannik Sinner as the highest-ranked player, followed by Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev. Sinner, who has yet to win a title at Roland Garros, will enter the tournament as the favorite, but the absence of Alcaraz — who pushed Nadal to five sets in the 2025 French Open semifinals — creates an opening for other contenders.

For fans, Alcaraz’s withdrawal is a reminder of the fragility of dominance in modern tennis. The sport has long been defined by its physical demands, and even the most talented players are not immune to injury. Yet, as the Big Three’s careers have shown, missing a Slam is not the end of the road. Nadal returned from his 2016 wrist injury to win two more French Open titles, while Djokovic rebounded from his 2018 elbow surgery to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking within months.

Alcaraz’s team has not provided a definitive timeline for his return, but the Spaniard is expected to target Wimbledon, which begins on June 30. In the meantime, his absence from Roland Garros serves as a stark reminder of the fine line between pushing one’s limits and knowing when to step back.

The Bigger Picture: What the Big Three’s Legacy Teaches Us

The Big Three’s careers have redefined what it means to be a tennis champion. Their collective 66 Grand Slam titles — Djokovic leads with 24, followed by Nadal with 22 and Federer with 20 — are a testament to their longevity and adaptability. Yet their ability to navigate injuries and absences has been just as critical to their success.

For Alcaraz, the challenge now is to learn from their example. The Spaniard has already shown flashes of brilliance, but sustaining a career at the highest level will require more than just talent. It will require the same strategic mindset that allowed Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer to dominate the sport for two decades.

As Querrey noted, “These guys didn’t just win Slams — they managed their careers. Alcaraz has the game to be the next great champion, but he also has to play the long game. Missing a Slam isn’t the end of the world. It’s just part of the journey.”

Key Takeaways

• Alcaraz’s withdrawal from Roland Garros 2026 echoes the Big Three’s history of strategic absences. Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer each missed at least one major tournament during their primes, often due to injury or rest.
• The Big Three’s absences reshaped seasons. Nadal won the 2018 French Open after Djokovic withdrew, while Federer’s absence from the 2016 French Open allowed Nadal to claim his ninth title in Paris.
• Alcaraz’s decision reflects the physical toll of modern tennis. The Spaniard played 85 matches in 2025, the most of any player in the top 10, and has been battling a wrist injury since Indian Wells.
• Sinner is now the favorite at Roland Garros. With Alcaraz out, the Italian enters the tournament as the top seed, followed by Medvedev and Zverev.
• The Big Three’s legacy is about more than titles. Their ability to manage injuries and absences has been just as critical to their success as their on-court dominance.

What’s Next for Alcaraz?

Alcaraz’s team has not confirmed a return date, but the Spaniard is expected to target Wimbledon, which begins on June 30. In the meantime, his focus will be on rehabilitation and ensuring he is fully fit for the second half of the season. For now, the tennis world will watch and wait — just as it did when the Big Three faced their own setbacks.

What do you think? Is Alcaraz’s withdrawal a smart long-term strategy, or a missed opportunity? Share your thoughts in the comments below and follow Archysport for the latest updates on the French Open and the rest of the tennis season.