Greg Rusedski Believes Carlos Alcaraz Will Be Forced to Skip Wimbledon Due to Wrist Injury

Greg Rusedski, like many from the tennis world, is feeling the absence of Carlos Alcaraz, who has been forced to stay on the sidelines since the Barcelona Open, where he injured his wrist and had to throw in the towel in the second round. The Spaniard went on to miss the Madrid Open and the Italian Open, and now he will also not be playing the French Open.

Alcaraz had 4,300 points to defend on the clay swing, but his defeat in the Monte Carlo final to arch-rival Jannik Sinner saw him lose his top spot to the four-time Grand Slam champion. And he will continue to miss significant points because of his withdrawal from the Roland Garros, where last year, he defended his title after overcoming a two-set deficit and saving three match points against Sinner.

But Rusedski believes Alcaraz will be forced to skip the grass swing as well. While speaking about Novak Djokovic‘s Wimbledon chances, here’s what Rusedski said on his Off Court with Greg podcast:

With Carlos out, I don’t think Carlos is going to be back for Wimbledon this year. I think, you know, that’s where Djokovic is thinking, okay, that’s where I want to peak. That’s where I want to be as healthy as possible. But I’m going to try to get my reps in through Paris, maybe play a few tournaments on the grass, and then peak for Wimbledon. Never discount him.

Djokovic fell to Sinner in straight sets in last year’s Wimbledon semifinal. After reaching the final for the first time, Sinner ruined Alcaraz’s hat-trick goal with a four-set win, also taking his Roland Garros heartbreak revenge. Djokovic snapped his five-match losing streak against Sinner in this year’s Australian Open final but could not overcome Alcaraz in the title clash.

If Novak’s healthy and the body’s there, he can beat anybody. He’s still that good. But it kind of feels like this is like crunchtime moments coming up from the next few weeks.

Greg Rusedski added

Last year on the grass swing, Alcaraz beat Jiri Lehecka to win his second title at the Queen’s Club Championships. In the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon tournaments, Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in the championship clashes.

Marin Cilic names two players other than Jannik Sinner who can benefit from Carlos Alcaraz’s French Open withdrawal

During his interview with Tennis Channel, Marin Cilic was asked whether Carlos Alcaraz‘s withdrawal has opened up the French Open draw. Cilic agreed and also named two players other than Jannik Sinner, who he thinks should seize the chance and win their first Grand Slam title. And they are three-time Grand Slam finalists Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud.

You can also see Zverev is being really consistent now, playing in the final of Madrid. He’s giving himself enough chances. If he’s gonna take it, you know, you never know, but he’s playing great tennis. You know, you always have a few guys that are playing unbelievably on clay, like Casper Ruud, he always loves those Roland Garros court conditions. Yeah, we’ll see, you know, just, from my own end, I’ll try to get back in there.

Ruud reached his first Grand Slam final at the 2022 French Open, losing to Rafael Nadal. He made the final the following season as well, but this time, he failed to go past Novak Djokovic.

Zverev has played one French Open final, in 2024, which he lost to Alcaraz. It was Ruud whom Sinner defeated in the final of the recently concluded Italian Open to become the second man after Djokovic to achieve the Career Golden Masters feat.

Also read: Jannik Sinner Explains Heartwarming Gesture for Mascot Kid Before Rome Final: “It’s a Moment That Brings Me Joy”