Keep Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner fit for the long run: Keys to avoiding injury

Juan Martin del Potro reaches out to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner with injury advice.

The ATP Tour season has already started to have an effect on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Alcaraz’s wrist issue forced him out of both the Barcelona Open and the Madrid Open later this month.

Sinner is still deciding whether he’ll play in Madrid after picking up titles at both the Sunshine Double and Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this year.

The busy schedule has already put a lot of pressure on both players, but Juan Martin del Potro has stepped in to offer some guidance that could help them manage their injuries better.

Juan Martin del Potro offers advice to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz

Del Potro dealt with a string of injuries throughout his own playing days, so he knows what it can cost a career. The Argentine feels that with the lead both players have built at the top of the rankings, there’s room for them to manage their schedules more carefully.

Speaking to La Nacion, del Potro suggested: “Given their current level of play, they’ll try to take care of their bodies. Well, now Alcaraz had a wrist problem, and important tournaments are coming up.

“At such a young age, they’re going to manage their careers to fight for the big titles because they really have a great opportunity. They also have a chance to do it [take care of themselves].

“First, because they have a significant advantage in the rankings. Second, because their level of play shows that wherever they play, they win.

“Having won so many Grand Slams and fighting for the number one ranking tournament after tournament helps them focus on that: the Grand Slams, the number one ranking, and trying to get closer to the records held by the Big 3.

“They have many years of their careers ahead of them, and it’s very likely that if they continue at this high level, they’ll get very close, and who knows what might happen in the future. I like it because it’s created a rivalry that divides tennis fans, and when they play, the matches are fantastic.”

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner: Early choices that raise questions

Del Potro’s point about Sinner and Alcaraz holds up, and there are plenty of people wondering why they’re even entering tournaments below the Masters level at this stage. The calendar is already demanding enough without stacking ATP 500 events and exhibitions on top of it.

This year, both took part in the Qatar Open after being paid a $1.2 million appearance fee for the ATP 500 tournament. The financial gain is clear, but looking back now, with how packed their schedule has become, you have to question whether it was worth it.

They also kicked off their seasons with an exhibition match in South Korea, another choice that looks questionable given what followed.

If they want to come anywhere near the achievements of tennis’ greatest generation, Sinner and Alcaraz will need to be much smarter about when and where they choose to play.

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