Rafael Nadal makes Carlos Alcaraz claim after French Open, Wimbledon withdrawals - ‘It’s not a chronic injury’
Published 21/05/2026 at 11:33 GMT+1
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Rafael Nadal expects Carlos Alcaraz to recover ”100%” from the wrist injury that will see him miss the French Open and Wimbledon, with the 22-time Grand Slam winner saying his compatriot should not rush back.
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World No. 2 Alcaraz has not played since withdrawing from the Barcelona Open in mid-April owing to a wrist issue.
He will not defend his title at the French Open, which starts on May 24 live on TNT Sports and HBO Max, and has also confirmed that he will not play the grass season. That means he is unlikely to be back on court until late July or August.
In Alcaraz’s absence, Jannik Sinner has dominated on the ATP Tour, winning five straight Masters 1000 titles and positioning himself as a strong favourite for the next two majors.
”For Carlos, he’s feeling that he lost two Grand Slams, a couple of Masters 1000s [due to his injury], it’s a tough moment,” said Nadal on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast.
”But in some way, the good thing is he has an injury that he will recover 100 percent if he does the proper things and I’m sure he is doing the proper things.”
Nadal had experience with wrist injuries during his career as he was twice sidelined with a similar issue to Alcaraz in 2014 and 2016.
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"When I heard about his injury, I knew it would keep him off the tour for a while,” Nadal told El Desmarque.
”Obviously, it’s tough, because he’s missing a very important part of the season, and I understand how difficult that is when you’re in the thick of competition, and you see your rivals winning. The best news is that it’s an injury you can fully recover from; it’s not a chronic injury.
”He’s young, he has his whole career ahead of him, and what he needs to do is make decisions with his long-term career in mind. So I think he’s doing the right thing and needs to come back when his wrist is fully healed.
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Rafael Nadal expects Carlos Alcaraz to return as good as ever.
Image credit: Getty Images
”It’s not something like my foot injury that’s going to keep hampering him for the rest of his career; it’s something that will heal and he can move on because I know that from my own experience"
Alcaraz started the 2026 season in fine form as he completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open. He also won the Qatar Open and looked the player to beat heading into Indian Wells in March.
Although his season has been derailed by the wrist injury, Nadal says Alcaraz is right not to rush back. ”The main thing is he has already achieved a lot, that gives him some calm,” Nadal said.
”He has plenty of years in front of him and it’s about listening to that from somebody like me that went through all of these things, I think that gives you some positiveness in the tough moments.”
Nadal overcame several injury issues throughout his legendary career, including a chronic foot injury.
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With 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 at the French Open, he is one of the all-time greats of the sport.
”I am very proud about my tennis career especially because of the longevity and all of the things that I went through to be able to keep playing tennis," he added.
"I really had the right work ethic and determination to always find a way to be competitive and today I’ve finished my career and I’m at peace. Of course I went through a lot of pain, but I remember my career in a positive way and tennis gave me a lot.”
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