“I don’t know. I think this is not what we should talk about,” Sinner stated firmly during a press conference at the Madrid Masters, when asked if Alcaraz’s absence paved a clear path for him in Paris.

With Alcaraz sidelined, Sinner faces a massive opportunity to secure his first Roland Garros title and complete the elusive Career Grand Slam. Having already triumphed at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, the clay-court major is the final piece of the puzzle.

Standing in his way are heavyweights like Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic—the latter being the last man to defeat Sinner in a Grand Slam match (Australian Open 2026 semifinals).

‘Tennis needs Alcaraz,’ says Sinner

Far from celebrating the absence of his greatest rival, Sinner emphasized that the sport is diminished when the Spaniard is not on court. He noted that the competitive spirit of the tour is simply better when Alcaraz is healthy and participating.

“I think the most important thing to say is that, first of all, tennis needs Carlos—tennis has a much better spirit when he’s around,” Sinner added. “Also for me personally, it’s nice when he’s around; it makes me look at the draw and individual matches in a different way”.

When could Alcaraz return?

With his absences confirmed for both the Rome Masters and Roland Garros, Alcaraz is now targeting a return for the grass-court season, specifically aiming to be fit for Wimbledon.

Medical experts expect the current World No. 2 to participate in warm-up tournaments to find his rhythm before the year’s second Grand Slam in England. His most likely comeback event is the Queen’s Club Championships, where he would be looking to defend the title he captured in 2025.

“After reviewing the test results today, we have decided that the most prudent course of action is to be cautious and skip both Rome and Roland Garros, while we evaluate the recovery process to determine when I can return to the court,” Alcaraz shared on social media. “It is a difficult moment for me, but I am certain I will come back stronger”.

With his absence from the clay-court season confirmed, Alcaraz is now aiming for a return during the grass-court swing in June. It is highly probable that he will make his comeback at the Queen’s Club Championships or another warm-up event to find his footing before Wimbledon.

A massive opening for Jannik Sinner

Alcaraz’s unfortunate injury, which sidelines him until mid-June, provides Jannik Sinner with a golden opportunity to solidify his status as the undisputed World No. 1.

The rivalry between the two stars dominated the 2025 season, where they split the four Grand Slam titles: Sinner claimed the Australian Open and Wimbledon, while Alcaraz took Roland Garros and the US Open.

With his primary rival out of the picture for the next two months, Sinner—who is currently competing in Madrid—has the chance to sweep the upcoming 3,000 points available in Rome and Paris, potentially creating an insurmountable lead in the ATP Rankings.

Alcaraz likely to maintain World No.2 status despite absence

Despite confirming his withdrawal from both Rome and Roland Garros, Carlos Alcaraz is in a strong position to remain the World No. 2 when he eventually returns to competition. This stability is due to the substantial points cushion he has built over his closest pursuer in the ATP Rankings, Alexander Zverev.

Alcaraz currently holds a commanding 12,960 points, while Zverev sits in third place with 5,255 points. Because of this massive gap of over 7,000 points, it is mathematically improbable for the German to overtake Alcaraz in the immediate future, even with the Spaniard unable to defend his titles in the coming weeks.

The situation worsened days later, when Alcaraz announced he would also miss the Madrid Open, citing that recent medical evaluations showed the injury was more serious than initially anticipated.

However, during the Laureus Awards, where he was honored as the World Sportsman of the Year, the Spaniard even cast doubt on his participation in the French Open if his injury requires more recovery time.

“We have a very long career ahead of us. Forcing myself to play this Roland Garros could seriously harm my future tournaments,” Alcaraz explained during a press conference. “I prefer to return a little later and be 100% rather than return early and in poor condition. You have to take care of yourself; the career can be very long”.

The battle for World No.1

Alcaraz’s injury comes at a pivotal moment in the fight for the top of the ATP rankings. After reclaiming the No. 1 spot in November 2025, the Spaniard recently surrendered the throne to Jannik Sinner following a thrilling defeat in the Monte-Carlo Masters final on April 12.

Despite the setback, Alcaraz remains unfazed by the rankings shuffle. “I’m not worried. I already said in Monte-Carlo, when I was healthy, that I was going to lose the number one spot regardless. The battle between Jannik and me is beautiful; we are sharing the weeks at the top, although I believe he will stay there a bit longer now,” the Spaniard added.

Sinner’s golden opportunity in the ATP Rankings

As Alcaraz noted, Sinner now faces a major opportunity to extend his lead in the rankings and solidify his position as World No. 1 for the foreseeable future. Following Alcaraz’s withdrawal from the Madrid Masters, Sinner has emerged as the clear favorite to claim the title.

The Italian also holds a strategic advantage: he is not defending any points in this tournament, having been absent from the 2025 edition. Consequently, he faces no risk of losing ground and could gain up to 1,000 points by lifting the trophy, significantly widening the gap between himself and Carlitos.

“It’s strange and difficult to sit here for the second time — because I’ve already done it before — and announce that I won’t be able to continue in the tournament. From today’s tests, it’s a slightly more serious injury than we all expected and, honestly, I need to listen to my body, to do what’s best for me, so it doesn’t impact me in the future,” Alcaraz told reporters during a press conference held on Wednesday.

The World No. 2 sustained the injury during his tournament debut against Otto Virtanen. While leading 5-4 in the first set, Alcaraz headed to his bench and requested a physiotherapist, who proceeded to tape the affected area. Although the Spaniard managed to finish and win the match 6-4, 6-2, the persistent wrist issues made it impossible for him to continue in the tournament.

Is this a problem for 2026 Roland Garros?

Alcaraz’s injury comes at a precarious time, given that the clay-court season has only just begun with several major tournaments still on the horizon. However, Alcaraz is expected to do everything in his power to be ready for the clay-court Grand Slam, where he aims to defend the title he won by defeating Jannik Sinner in 2025.

This could mean skipping upcoming events to ensure he is fit for Roland Garros, which is scheduled to run from May 24 to June 7. While no specific recovery timeline has been released, there is a strong possibility the World No. 2 could miss the Madrid Masters 1000, where he was scheduled to debut around April 24 or 25.

Should he bypass the Spanish capital, his return could potentially be delayed until the Rome Masters 1000 (May 6–17), the final major tune-up before the French Open.

A familiar setback for Alcaraz

This situation mirrors 2024, when Alcaraz battled injuries that sidelined him for key stretches of the clay season. A right arm injury forced him out of both the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open that year.

While he managed to compete in Madrid, reaching the quarterfinals, the Spaniard ultimately had to withdraw from Rome to ensure he was in peak condition for the Roland Garros fortnight.

The immense majority of ATP circuit players measure over six feet tall (1.80 meters), with many easily surpassing that stature. However, Rochus, a native of Belgium, stood at the opposite extreme.

In the Open Era, he is the third shortest male player in tennis history at just 5-foot-6 (168 centimeters). For context, the shortest was Spaniard Angel Gimenez (5-foot-4), and the second shortest was American Harold Salomon (5-foot-5).

The notable career of Olivier Rochus

Olivier Rochus competed as a professional from 1999 through 2014. While his most significant achievements came in doubles alongside his compatriot Xavier Malisse, he still managed to capture two singles titles (Palermo in 2000 and Munich in 2006) and climbed as high as World No. 24.

In doubles, he achieved his greatest glory with Malisse, winning Roland Garros in 2004. The pair also claimed the Adelaide title in 2005. His competitive career wrapped up in 2014, concluding a 15-year run at the sport’s highest level, marked by several important victories.

The mythic match that stunned Djokovic

Undeniably, the most important singles victory of Olivier Rochus’s career came in 2010 against Novak Djokovic at the Miami Masters 1000. On Nole’s favored hardcourt surface—and at a time when the Serb already possessed a Grand Slam title and stood on the cusp of his career-defining 2011 season—the Belgian underdog shocked the tennis world by defeating Djokovic in Miami by a score of 6-2, 6-7, 6-4.

Strong accusations against Rafael Nadal

Olivier Rochus first publicly targeted Rafael Nadal in 2013, when he suggested the Spanish tennis star was doping, according to the Belgian outlet La Libre Belgique. “There are only rumors about Nadal, but there are many,” Rochus questioned. “Perhaps enough to ask this question: How can he dominate Roland Garros and one month later be unable to play?”

“If controls were public, we wouldn’t have to listen to stupid comments like that without any proof. It’s incredible that such things are said. Let him present proof and then we’ll talk,” he added.

Toni Nadal, Rafa’s uncle and former coach, responded without hesitation in an interview with Punto de Break. “Besides being an imbecile, he is ill-mannered. He is a true imbecile because if one knew [something], it would be fine to say it. But knowing, as I believe he should know, that Rafael has never taken anything in his life and surely won’t, I find it incredible that a fool like this says what he said,” Toni Nadal stated.

The controversy didn’t end there. The Belgian later took aim at Nadal again during the 2014 Australian Open Final, where Rafa lost to Stan Wawrinka. Rochus suggested the treatment Nadal received during a medical timeout was suspicious.

“When he returned from the locker room he was limping. Then, surprisingly, he could run in the third and fourth sets. He clearly left the court to receive an injection,” the Belgian asserted during the Eurosport broadcast.

Life after the ATP tour

After retiring from professional play, Rochus transitioned into a commentator role, working for the French television network Eurosport. On a personal level, he is married with two children and remains a passionate golfer. His social media presence frequently features shared content about his family and nostalgic throwbacks to his tennis career.

Ivanovic’s passion for tennis began when she watched her compatriot Monica Seles on television, inspiring her to ask her parents for lessons. She quickly showed talent and posted impressive results at the national level, even during challenging times in her country. By 2003 she had turned professional, and two years later she lifted her first WTA title.

The Serbian rapidly established herself among the game’s elite, competing in a tough era dominated by Serena and Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Dinara Safina. After her breakthrough title in 2005, she added another in 2006, three more in 2007, and started 2008 in spectacular fashion by winning Indian Wells.

That same year, she achieved her greatest triumph, winning her lone Grand Slam at Roland Garros with a victory over Safina in the final. Between late 2008 and 2014, she collected seven additional titles, though the final stretch of her career was hampered by injuries. In total, Ivanovic spent 12 weeks as the No. 1 player in the world.

Injuries forced her retirement

Ana Ivanovic stepped away from professional tennis in December 2016 at the age of 29, citing persistent injuries as the decisive factor. “I’ve decided to retire from professional tennis. It was a tough decision, but also a joyful one. I wanted to be a tennis player since I was five, watching Monica Seles on TV. My parents supported me all the way to becoming No. 1 and winning Roland Garros. I’ve played many memorable matches — not bad for a little Serbian girl,” she said at the time.

Looking back years later, Ivanovic admitted that the mental side of the sport was often just as challenging as the physical grind. Speaking to Olympic Channel in 2022, she reflected: “There were times in my career when I struggled because I focused too much on the outside — results, what people thought of me, and so on. Later you realize that none of that really matters, only what you feel inside. People judge based only on what they see on the court, but players live the full story. That’s why the mental part of the game is more important than ever”.

The day Trump praised her beauty

In 2014, the 2008 Roland Garros champion posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) alongside Donald Trump — who at the time had not yet entered the White House — with the caption: “Meeting with the boss!”

Not long after, former Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic revealed that during conversations about tennis, Trump had expressed his admiration for Ivanovic, calling her “the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, simply the most beautiful”.

Life after tennis

Since retiring, Ivanovic has remained connected to the sport, often appearing as a guest at major tennis events. Away from the court, she has built a full life with her family, raising three children with soccer World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger.

She also serves as a UNICEF ambassador, focusing on health and sports initiatives, and has pursued ventures in fashion and beauty, highlighting her influence well beyond tennis.

Results came quickly, especially on clay. As a junior, his biggest achievement was reaching the Roland Garros boys’ final in 1995 against Mariano Zabaleta, though he fell short of the title.

Still, Puerta’s promise was clear. By 1998, he broke through on the ATP Tour, capturing his first career title in Palermo, Italy, against fellow Argentine Franco Squillari. The year 2000 marked his real emergence. He was second only to Guga Kuerten in clay-court victories, winning the Bogota Open and reaching finals in Mexico City, Santiago, Gstaad, and Umag.

Injuries and mental struggles

But Puerta’s rise was derailed by a serious wrist injury while training with coach Hernan Gumy. The setback shook him both physically and mentally. “It happened while warming up with Hernan Gumy. First ball, he hit it softly, I set up my forehand, swung, and felt a tremendous pain. That year I ended up playing with injections. The injury got worse until we decided on surgery, which I had in the United States. That’s when instability in my career began, along with mental struggles,” Puerta told La Nacion.

His return was rocky. Puerta later admitted it took him time to realize he needed psychological help. “In 2002 I wasn’t bouncing back. I felt 100 percent responsible for the failure of my comeback after surgery. I was so aware of it that during many tournaments I was hurting myself on purpose—sometimes hitting balls out deliberately, not being humble, not chasing certain shots. It takes a lot of humility to succeed. Having so much success at a young age can make you arrogant. There was a moment when I said: ‘Either I forgive myself or this ends here. I couldn’t go on like that,’” Puerta recalled.

The first doping case

By 2003, Puerta was rebuilding his form. But at the ATP tournament in Viña del Mar, after losing to fellow Argentine Agustin Calleri, he tested positive for clenbuterol, a banned substance. He was suspended for nine months.

“After that match in Chile, I had a doping test—everything seemed normal. Months later they told me it was positive. I thought, ‘What is this? Oh, the medicine!’ I cannot believe it!,” Puerta said.

The comeback and Roland Garros run

Cleared to compete again in mid-2004, Puerta mounted an impressive comeback. He reached the Buenos Aires final in 2005, then won his third ATP title in Casablanca by defeating Juan “Pico” Monaco.

That set the stage for the best run of his career: the 2005 Roland Garros. Puerta advanced to the final, where he faced a young Rafael Nadal, who was seeking his first Grand Slam title. Puerta stunned the Spaniard by taking the opening set 7–6, but Nadal stormed back to win the next three and claim his maiden major crown.

The second doping case and career collapse

Days later, Puerta’s career unraveled. A drug test from Roland Garros came back positive, this time for epinephrine. Puerta argued the trace amount found in his body came from accidentally drinking from his wife’s water bottle, which contained medication.

The penalty was severe: an eight-year suspension, effectively a career-ending sanction. In 2006, the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced it to two years, allowing him to return in 2007. He won a Challenger in Bogota in 2008, but he never came close to his previous heights. In truth, that 2005 Roland Garros final would remain the defining match of his career—the peak and the turning point.

A career of highs and lows

Despite the controversies, Puerta still left his mark on Argentine tennis. He reached a career-high ranking of World No. 9 in August 2005 and played a crucial role in Argentina’s Davis Cup win over Australia that same year, teaming with David Nalbandian to defeat Wayne Arthurs and Lleyton Hewitt in doubles on grass.

Born in Minsk, when it was still part of the Soviet Union, Zvereva became a standout both on and off the court, speaking out against her government long before the fall of the Berlin Wall and standing up for what she believed was fair.

On the court, Zvereva had a remarkable singles career—including a historic match against Steffi Graf—but it was in doubles where she truly cemented her legacy. She formed a legendary partnership with Gigi Fernandez and also won titles alongside other iconic players like Pam Shriver and Martina Hingis.

A Roland Garros final for the history books

Sports held a special place in the Soviet Union, and Natasha Zvereva quickly rose through the ranks to make her mark on the professional tennis circuit. Turning pro in 1988, she made an immediate impact by reaching the Roland Garros final that same year, where she faced one of the greatest players of all time, Steffi Graf. The match went down in history for its sheer dominance, with Graf defeating Zvereva 6-0, 6-0 in just 32 minutes.

A strong singles career

Despite that historic loss, Zvereva went on to build an impressive singles career that spanned from 1988 to 2002. She reached her career-high ranking in June 1989, climbing to No. 5 in the world.

Zvereva captured four WTA singles titles: Brisbane in 1990, Sydney later that same year, Chicago in 1994, and Eastbourne in 1999. Interestingly, she never won a clay-court tournament—the very surface where she first rose to prominence with her Roland Garros final appearance at just 17 years old.

Legendary doubles career

Alongside her singles success, Zvereva left an even bigger mark in doubles. She won an astounding 80 women’s doubles titles, in addition to several mixed doubles championships. Zvereva also earned an Olympic bronze medal in Barcelona in 1992, teaming with Leila Meskhi.

She reached the world No. 1 ranking in doubles and claimed a total of 20 Grand Slam titles: 18 in women’s doubles—mostly alongside Gigi Fernandez, but also with Martina Hingis, Larisa Neiland, and Pam Shriver—and two in mixed doubles, one with Jim Pugh at the 1990 Australian Open and another with Rick Leach at the 1995 Australian Open.

Natasha Zvereva vs the Soviet Union

Born in Minsk—now the capital of Belarus, but then part of the Soviet Union—Zvereva turned professional in 1988. Just a year later, she publicly challenged a controversial Soviet policy that paid athletes a fixed monthly salary while keeping their prize money.

In 1989, after losing the Hilton Head final to Steffi Graf, legendary journalist Bud Collins handed Zvereva her runner-up check. Her response was blunt: “This is just a piece of paper,” a pointed remark highlighting that she would never see that money.

Hall of Fame induction and captaincy of Belarus

In 2010, Zvereva and longtime doubles partner Gigi Fernandez were inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame. Speaking at the ceremony, Zvereva said, “I’m very proud to be the first player born in Belarus to be included in the Tennis Hall of Fame. I have to say, without Gigi’s mentality, we would never have made it here. I never imagined we could achieve something like this—I was just playing tennis”. Zvereva also served as captain of the Belarusian women’s team competing in the Billie Jean King Cup, further cementing her legacy both on and off the court.

To put his career in perspective, Pietrangeli was considered Italy’s greatest player of all time—until recently, when Jannik Sinner emerged as the new star. Now 91 years old, Pietrangeli opened up in an exclusive interview with SuperTennis about the daily consequences of competing at the highest level for 15 seasons.

His first words were stark: “That’s life: painful and boring”. But the two-time Roland Garros champion (1959, 1960) elaborated, sharing a candid confession that resonated deeply: “I want a day without pain. This pain I suffer keeps me from moving”.

The discomfort plagues his lower back near the sacrum. Expanding on his struggles, Pietrangeli admitted, “They’ve tried everything. My friends call me to play cards, but I need to rest.” He added, “Even though I spend the whole day in bed, I don’t get a day of relief from this pain”.

Pietrangeli holds the record for most Davis Cup wins, cementing his status as a true legend of the historic tournament. He was also often seen supporting Italy’s top players, particularly in tennis, forming a close bond with Fabio Fognini—famously jumping onto the clay to hand Fognini his trophy after the Monte Carlo Masters victory.

Reflecting on life as he nears 92, Pietrangeli didn’t hold back: “I’m tired. Tired of being tired. I don’t know what I’ll be like in two weeks. It won’t change anything”. He added with grim humor, “I’m like a worm. I watch TV, I watch Netflix, and even just holding the remote, I get in the way”.

Pietrangeli opens up about mental health

When it comes to his mental state, Pietrangeli didn’t hold back. “My mind slips a little. I can remember things I did 50 years ago, but not what I did the day before yesterday,” he said at first. Moments later, he added a sobering reflection that left listeners stunned: “I feel like any day, it just won’t work anymore”.

The former bronze medalist at the 1968 Mexico Olympics, who retired just five years later, made clear the toll these lingering pains have taken on his life. The interview ended as poignantly as it began. “As my son says: ‘I’ve beaten cancer, but not old age,’” Pietrangeli concluded.

According to Mister Only Tennis, an X account known for detailed tennis stats, Alcaraz and Sinner now rank first and third, respectively, in terms of Grand Slam final win percentage in the Open Era, which began in 1968. This ranking includes only players who have reached at least five major finals.

It is topped by Australian legend Rod Laver, who posted an 83.3% success rate by winning five of six finals—Wimbledon 1968 and all four majors in 1969—losing only at Roland Garros in 1968. Notably, Laver also captured six additional major titles during the amateur era.

Tied with Laver at the top—excluding those amateur titles—is Alcaraz. The Spanish star has also won five of his first six Grand Slam finals (US Open 2022, Wimbledon 2023 and 2024, and Roland Garros 2024 and 2025), with his only loss coming at this year’s Wimbledon final.

Sinner sits just below with an 80% win rate in Grand Slam finals, having claimed titles at the Australian Open in 2024 and 2025, the US Open in 2024, and Wimbledon in 2025. His lone defeat came at Roland Garros earlier this year. In fact, Alcaraz and Sinner handed each other their first career losses in Grand Slam finals this season—evidence of the razor-thin margin between them at the top of the sport.

Another impressive benchmark for Sinner and Alcaraz

What makes these achievements even more impressive is the age of the two players. At just 23 and 22 years old, respectively, Sinner and Alcaraz are already cementing their place among tennis’s elite, posting statistics that compare favorably with some of the game’s all-time greats.

In addition to their Grand Slam finals efficiency, both players rank among the best in ATP Tour final win percentage since the start of the Open Era, based on players who have contested at least 25 finals.

Per Mister Only Tennis, Thomas Muster leads that list with an 81.6% mark (44–10), followed by Nikolay Davydenko at 75% (21–7). Alcaraz matches Davydenko’s percentage—though he has done so at a far younger age. Sinner follows closely with a 74.1% win rate (20–7). Others rounding out the top group include Thomas Enqvist (73.1%), Pete Sampras (72.7%), and Rod Laver (71.9%).

Until now, the only players in the Open Era to face each other in both the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals in the same season were Federer and Nadal. Now, Alcaraz and Sinner join that exclusive list, a sign of the incredible dominance they’re displaying on the ATP Tour.

However, for now, Carlos and Jannik remain far from matching what their predecessors accomplished. Federer and Nadal didn’t just hit this milestone once — they did it three years in a row, from 2006 to 2008.

They clashed at Roland Garros in the 2006 final, with Rafael coming out on top, but a month later Roger got his revenge at Wimbledon and claimed the title. The same story played out again in 2007. In 2008, the Spanish legend took full control of the rivalry, winning both tournaments back-to-back.

Now Sinner and Alcaraz are writing their own chapter in tennis history. This Sunday marks their first Wimbledon final against each other, and for now, the advantage belongs to the Spanish player, who claimed the Roland Garros title last month.

How many Grand Slam finals has Alcaraz played?

Sunday’s match against Sinner will be Alcaraz’s third straight Wimbledon final; he won the title in both 2023 and 2024. In addition, he has reached three other Grand Slam finals: the 2022 US Open and the 2024 and 2025 French Open. So far, Carlos is perfect on the biggest stages, with five wins and zero losses.

“I’m not thinking about the winning streak or the results at all,” Alcaraz said after defeating Taylor Fritz in the semifinals, according to the official website of the ATP Tour. “This is my dream, stepping on these beautiful courts and playing tennis in the most beautiful tournaments in the world. That’s all I try to think at every tournament and why I try to bring the joy to the courts.”

How many Grand Slam finals has Sinner played?

For Sinner, this will be the fifth Grand Slam final of his career. He currently holds a strong, though not flawless, record: of the four finals he has played so far, he has won three titles (the 2024 US Open and the 2024 and 2025 Australian Open), while he lost the Roland Garros final earlier this year.

”I can’t believe it,” said Jannik after defeating Novak Djokovic on Friday. “It’s a tournament I always watched when I was young on television. I would never have imagined that I could play here in the final, so it’s amazing. I know how much work me and my team are putting in.”