Expert: Alcaraz's right wrist issue 'generally not a concern' ahead of Roland Garros

Carlos Alcaraz’s right wrist injury has drawn a more reassuring assessment from a sports science expert, even after the Spaniard shut down his clay season and withdrew from Roland Garros. Stephen Smith, founder and chief executive of Kitman Labs, told Tennis365 on Thursday that if the problem is limited to the tendon sheath rather than the tendon itself, it is “generally” not a major issue. Alcaraz announced on April 24 that he would miss both Rome and Roland Garros after tests on the wrist. Rafael Nadal has since said he spoke with Alcaraz and believes the 22-year-old handled the setback correctly. ### What exactly did the expert say about the wrist? Stephen Smith told Tennis365 that the key distinction is between irritation to the tendon sheath and damage to the tendon itself. Smith said a sheath problem is “generally indicative” of minor inflammation, irritation or a slight strain, while tendon damage would be more concerning for a tennis player because of the stress placed on the wrist during every stroke. (tennis365.com) Tennis365 reported that Smith said the issue could be managed by reducing load and strapping the area, describing that scenario as “much more manageable.” Smith also said Alcaraz’s early decision to stop his clay season looked like a smart one given the demands of the calendar. ### When did Alcaraz’s injury force him off tour? April 14 was the date of Alcaraz’s last match, according to Tennis365, which said he hurt the right wrist during his opening-round win over Otto Virtanen at the Barcelona Open. (tennis365.com) He then withdrew before his next match in Barcelona, skipped Madrid, and on April 24 ruled himself out of the Italian Open and Roland Garros. The ATP said Alcaraz based that decision on test results. In his social media statement cited by ATP Tour and Roland Garros, Alcaraz said the “most prudent” course was to miss Rome and Roland Garros while his team monitored the wrist’s progress before deciding when he could return. ### Why did he pull out so early from Roland Garros? April 24 was a month before the start of the French Open main draw, and Alcaraz’s withdrawal came unusually early for a defending champion. (tennis365.com) Smith told Tennis365 that the timing suggested caution rather than escalation, saying the decision looked smart in the context of a crowded schedule and the number of matches top players now face. (atptour.com) Roland Garros said Alcaraz would remain sidelined at least until June. The tournament’s official site also said the withdrawal means he will miss the Paris event for the first time since 2021. ### What has Alcaraz said about the recovery plan? April 21, three days before the withdrawal announcement, Alcaraz said at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid that he was undergoing another test on the wrist after a week of rest. (tennis365.com) He said he would rather return “a little later” and with a full recovery because he wanted to protect his long-term career. The ATP said Alcaraz entered that period with a 22-3 record for the season. (rolandgarros.com) At the Laureus event, he said he hoped to be back on court soon but would wait for the test results before making a decision. ### What did Nadal say after speaking with him? Rafael Nadal said he had spoken with Alcaraz after the injury and backed the younger Spaniard’s approach. Tennis365 reported that Nadal said Alcaraz had “made the right decisions” and was following the right treatment, adding that he knew the injury well because he had suffered the same problem twice himself. (atptour.com) ATP Tour had already reported on April 24 that Nadal sent public support after Alcaraz’s withdrawal, saying tennis is better when Alcaraz is around. (atptour.com) Nadal’s more recent comments added a personal note because they referred directly to a private conversation between the two Spaniards and Nadal’s own experience with similar wrist trouble. ### What comes next before any return? June is the earliest point mentioned publicly for Alcaraz’s return window. (tennis365.com) Roland Garros said he would stay out until at least then, while Alcaraz said on April 24 that his team would wait to assess the wrist’s progress before deciding when he could go back to court. No tournament date has yet been confirmed for his comeback in the sources reviewed. (atptour.com) The next public marker is the recovery period itself, with Alcaraz and his team set to reassess the wrist before naming a return event. (atptour.com) (rolandgarros.com)