Carlos Alcaraz is now racing against the clock to get fit in time for defending his French Open title next month. A former Grand Slam finalist has offered him some straightforward advice, urging caution.

Alcaraz is dealing with a wrist issue he picked up during the Barcelona Open. He’s openly considering whether he'll recover in time for Roland Garros.

Having already claimed seven Grand Slam titles, Alcaraz likely doesn’t want to miss the second major of 2026. But Greg Rusedski, a former US Open finalist, thinks he should be careful with his next move.

At only 22, Alcaraz needs to prevent any wrist injury from becoming a long-term setback. Rusedski suggests skipping the French Open might be the smarter path if there’s any doubt about the injury, especially since wrists are notoriously vulnerable for tennis players.

“He has to think long-term; this could be a 10-year career,” Rusedski explained on his podcast. “A serious wrist injury isn't something he can afford. Look at Juan Martin del Potro, one of the greats who never fully recovered from his wrist issues.”

He continued, “Take your time and wait until you’re completely ready. Don’t rush back. Honestly, I don’t think he cares about ranking points right now. Health is wealth.”

“The four majors define greatness. Carlos already has seven, just three shy of ten at such a young age, which is remarkable.”

Rumours surfaced during the Monte Carlo finals that Alcaraz wasn’t feeling great because of his wrist, maybe dealing with some minor annoyances. Those little aches and pains are part of the game. It was smart for him to withdraw from Barcelona to avoid making things worse.

“And if he misses the French, it’s really not the end of the world,” Rusedski added.

He also compared Alcaraz’s approach to tournament scheduling with that of world number one Jannik Sinner.

Sinner tends to space out events, while Alcaraz played back-to-back tournaments in Monte Carlo and Barcelona before his injury cropped up.

“Look at Jannik Sinner: his schedule is well thought out, his preparation is meticulous, and he’s usually the first to arrive, fully ready. He’s had very few injuries because he manages his body well. But they’re different personalities.”

“Carlos likes to enjoy life, parties, and his boat, while Sinner is more reserved, focused on tennis and recovery. Sleep, relaxation, and time away from the court are key for the best players, and they balance that carefully. Without that balance, you end up with these niggles, pains, and injuries; it’s about finding that equilibrium.”

Jannik Sinner is hopeful that Carlos Alcaraz's time away from the tour won’t drag on for too long.

Alcaraz is racing against the clock to be ready for the French Open, where the two had a thrilling five-set final last year after injuring his wrist at the Barcelona Open last week.

This injury has kept him out of the Madrid Open again this year, the biggest tournament in his home country, marking the second consecutive absence. Still, he showed up at the Caja Magica on Tuesday to sign autographs.

Sinner ran into Alcaraz at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid on Monday, where Alcaraz was named World Sportsman of the Year. He said, “We talked briefly. Didn’t really touch much on this; it’s a very personal matter. But it was clear he had a cast. Hopefully, that helps him get back out there quickly.”

He added, “It’s a real shame that he and Novak Djokovic aren’t here; two of the biggest stars in tennis are missing from this tournament.”

When asked about his chances of competing in Paris, Alcaraz mentioned, “I have a long career ahead. Pushing to play in Roland Garros right now could seriously set me back down the line.”

The Madrid Open itself is feeling the impact of these withdrawals hard. Along with Alcaraz, Djokovic continues to recover from a shoulder injury, and British players Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu have also pulled out.

Sinner commented, “It’s definitely tough for the tournament. Alcaraz missed it last year, too, so that makes two years in a row without him here, and with Novak also absent, it’s a hard pill to swallow.”

Though Sinner would likely welcome another showdown with Alcaraz after beating him in the Monte-Carlo Masters final earlier this month, the Spaniard’s absence boosts Sinner’s chances to extend his winning streak and widen his lead as world number one.

Interestingly, Sinner has no points to defend because he also missed Madrid last year amid a doping ban, and he’s gunning for a fifth straight Masters 1000 title.

After Monte Carlo, Sinner hinted he might skip Madrid too, but now he says, “I feel quite good. Mentally, I’m focused on Roland Garros. The goal is to be in the best shape possible for that.”

Winning Monte Carlo marked Sinner’s first clay court Masters title, but Madrid remains a tougher challenge. The altitude there creates a unique playing environment, and so far, he hasn’t advanced beyond the quarter-finals in this city.

He reflected, “Different clay courts help me grow as a player, and Madrid’s definitely one of the more demanding ones. I’ve never done very well here, but let’s see how it goes this time. I’m glad to be back.”