Alcaraz seen in brace
- Carlos Alcaraz was photographed wearing a rigid wrist/forearm immobilization splint while awaiting medical tests. - The visible device covered his wrist and extended partway up his forearm, signaling caution. - He has said he will not rush a comeback before the French Open as tests continue ( ).
Carlos Alcaraz has been seen with a rigid brace on his right wrist and forearm as he waits for medical tests that will shape his French Open plans. (usatoday.com) The 22-year-old withdrew from the Barcelona Open on April 15 after saying pain in his wrist worsened during his first-round win over Otto Virtanen. He then pulled out of the Madrid Open on April 17, missing the event for the second straight year. (atptour.com) (olympics.com) Alcaraz said tests in the next few days will determine whether he can play Roland-Garros, and he said he will not rush his return. Reuters and other outlets reported he wore the immobilizing splint Monday at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid. (sports.yahoo.com) (olympics.com) The timing is tight because Roland-Garros begins in May, and Alcaraz is the two-time defending men’s singles champion in Paris. The official tournament site lists the 2026 event as running from May 18 to June 7. (rolandgarros.com) A wrist injury matters more on clay because long rallies and heavy topspin put repeated stress on the hand and forearm. Alcaraz’s game relies on explosive forehands, drop shots and defensive slides that all depend on that arm holding up over best-of-five-set matches. (atptour.com) (apnews.com) The brace does not by itself confirm how severe the injury is, but it does show his team is limiting movement while doctors evaluate the wrist. Alcaraz said in Barcelona that the problem was “slightly more serious” than he and his camp first expected. (atptour.com) His clay season had already taken a hit before Madrid, one of the biggest stops before Paris. Missing Barcelona and Madrid leaves him without match play at home and with little room to build form before the French Open. (olympics.com) (sports.yahoo.com) Alcaraz appeared in Madrid on April 20 to accept the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, but the focus quickly shifted from the trophy to the brace on his right arm. For now, the next update is expected from the test results, not from the red carpet. (atptour.com) (sports.yahoo.com)
