John McEnroe Admits to Feeling ‘Sad’ After Learning About Carlos Alcaraz’s French Open Withdrawal: “Losing Him Hurts a Lot”

The recently concluded French Open ended in Alexander Zverev‘s favor. He beat first-time Major finalist Flavio Cobolli in five sets, becoming a Grand Slam champion for the first time in his career.

Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, however, skipped the tournament. He suffered from a wrist injury during the Barcelona Open, due to which he was forced to pull out of the event, where in the last two seasons, he defeated Zverev (2024) and Jannik Sinner (2025). John McEnroe was really sad when he heard about Alcaraz’s withdrawal.

I was sad when I found out; it was a big blow to know he wasn’t going to be there. Alcaraz is the best representative we have in our sport, in terms of everything he contributes and brings to the table: losing him hurts a lot.

John McEnroe said on the Off Court with Greg podcast

Alcaraz, in fact, will not be playing the Wimbledon Championships as well. The grass-court Major kicks off on June 29, and Sinner will enter the tournament as the defending champion. He clinched a four-set win over Alcaraz last year, taking his revenge for his Roland Garros defeat.

When your best player, or the second best, or even if you want to say they’re tied, that’s fine by me, but when that player isn’t there…it hurts. When I found out that Alcaraz was withdrawing from Wimbledon, it was a huge blow. We’re all praying that he’ll be back sooner rather than later.

John McEnroe added

Alcaraz played the final of Wimbledon in the previous three seasons. In 2023, he spoiled Novak Djokovic‘s Calendar Grand Slam goal, and last year, in 2024, Alcaraz beat the 24-time Grand Slam champion again, denying him his historic 25th Major. Also, it was Alcaraz who stopped Djokovic from winning this year’s Australian Open.

It’s uncertain when Alcaraz will be back on the tour. He has already lifted two titles this season. After his win over Djokovic in Melbourne, the Spaniard defeated Arthur Fils in the Qatar Open, also winning his first title in the tournament.

Later, he also reached the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters but couldn’t defend the title, losing to Sinner in straight sets. This saw the 23-year-old lose his No.1 ranking to the four-time Grand Slam champion.

David Ferrer gives an update on Carlos Alcaraz’s injury

Carlos Alcaraz, who has not yet revealed the severity of his injury, is undergoing rehabilitation. Spain’s Davis Cup captain, David Ferrer, who has been in close contact with the World No.2, shared during his interview with AS what he has recently heard about his compatriot.

Well, calm. Reassurance that everything is going well. The important thing is that Carlos recovers one hundred percent and day by day. You don’t have to think much more. It is an injury that must be taken care of, and the good thing is that Carlos is mentally very good and is in good hands.

Last year, Alcaraz also suffered an injury during the clay swing. He suffered a left hamstring and adductor injury last year and was forced to withdraw from the Madrid Open. Upon his comeback at the Italian Open, he beat Jannik Sinner in the final.

Before his defeat to Sinner in the Wimbledon final, Alcaraz lifted the Queen’s Club Championships for the second time in his career. Alcaraz, the winner of 26 singles titles, has lifted four trophies on grass (won both the Queen’s Club Championships and Wimbledon twice).

The Queen’s event will start on June 15, while the grass-court Major is scheduled to start on June 29. In defending champion Alcaraz’s absence, Alex de Minaur will enter Queen’s as the top seed.

Also read: Youngster Rafael Jodar Aims to Continue His Clay-Court Form at Wimbledon