Lopez: Rome looks unlikely
- Madrid director Feliciano López warned that a comeback for Alcaraz at the Rome tournament appears “almost impossible.” - López compared the injury to one that cost him about eight weeks, and he suggested Alcaraz might face roughly two months out. - Those comments increased doubt over Alcaraz’s Roland‑Garros participation while tests are pending and recovery timelines are reassessed ( ).
Carlos Alcaraz now looks unlikely to make Rome after Madrid director Feliciano López said a return there is “almost impossible.” (tennis.com) López made the comment after Alcaraz pulled out of the Barcelona Open on April 15, 2026, and then withdrew from the Madrid Open on April 17 with a right wrist injury. ATP Tour said Alcaraz beat Otto Virtanen in Barcelona before skipping his scheduled match against Tomás Macháč. (atptour.com 1) (atptour.com 2) López said he had the same injury during his own career and was sidelined for about eight weeks, leading him to estimate Alcaraz could face roughly two months out. Tennis.com reported Alcaraz was seen this week wearing a wrist brace while tests and recovery plans were still pending. (tennis.com) (tennistemple.com) That timeline cuts into the heart of the clay season. The ATP Tour lists Rome for May 6-17, 2026, and Roland-Garros runs from May 18 to June 7. (atptour.com) (rolandgarros.com) Alcaraz is not just trying to get healthy for any stretch of the calendar. López noted that Madrid, Rome and Roland-Garros put thousands of ranking points in play, and Tennis.com framed the injury as a threat to his French Open title defense. (tennis.com) (tennistemple.com) Rome also carries extra weight because Alcaraz won the tournament last year. Tennis.com’s Rome recap shows he beat Jannik Sinner in the 2025 final, 7-6(5), 6-1, for the title. (tennis.com) Alcaraz has not put a date on his return. After withdrawing in Barcelona, he said he was heading home to recover with his team, doctors and physio, and after pulling out of Madrid he said he needed to listen to his body so the problem would not affect him in the future. (atptour.com 1) (atptour.com 2) For now, the clearest marker is the one López gave: Madrid is out, Rome looks remote, and Roland-Garros remains an open question until the wrist tests produce a firmer timetable. (tennis.com)
