Carlos Alcaraz’s Portugal Trip Brings Hope As Jannik Sinner Unwinds in Monaco After French Open Exit

For the first time since the 2023 US Open, a player other than Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner will be crowned a Grand Slam champion at this year’s French Open. While the Spaniard has been sidelined with injury, Sinner suffered a shocking loss in the second round of the clay-court Major, leaving the duo with rare time to focus on life away from the tour.

How Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner Are Spending Their Time Away from the French Open

Alcaraz sustained an injury to his right wrist at the Barcelona Open in April, forcing him to pull out of the ATP Masters 1000 events in Madrid and Rome. The setback also ruled him out of the French Open, denying the Spaniard an opportunity to compete for his third consecutive title at the prestigious event.

While the world No. 2 was expected to make his return to the tour during the grass swing, he later confirmed he would also miss the Queen’s Club Championships and Wimbledon. Alcaraz explained that while his recovery was progressing well, he was “still not ready to compete.”

In all his public appearances since, the 23-year-old was seen wearing a bulky wrist brace. However, recent images from his trip to Portugal have offered positive signs regarding his recovery. Alcaraz was spotted on a beach in Comporta sporting a much lighter wrist band while he enjoyed a game of football with friends.

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Speaking recently at the Princess of Girona Foundation’s awards ceremony, Alcaraz maintained a positive outlook while explaining how he feels about watching his rivals compete at the French Open while he remains sidelined.

“I’m watching the results from home, watching my rivals compete, the tournaments I wish I could be playing in but can’t. But everything happens for a reason. I believe it’s fate and that life has something special for me when I return, something beautiful,” he added. “Now I realize that what really matters is my family, who have always been there to support me.”

With the two-time defending champion out of the picture, Sinner was the overwhelming favorite to clinch his maiden Roland Garros title and complete the Career Grand Slam. However, the world No. 1 suffered an unexpected 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 loss to Juan Manuel Cerúndolo in the second round after his struggle with dizziness, nausea, and cramps turned the match on its head.

During his post-match press conference, Sinner disclosed that he is unlikely to compete in any grass-court tournaments in the lead-up to Wimbledon, emphasizing the need to recover both mentally and physically after his troubles in Paris.

“I won’t play any tournaments on grass before, most likely. Now, I need really some time off to recover completely, also mentally, and then be ready to go again from Wimbledon,” he said.

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The 24-year-old headed back home to Monaco after his loss at the French Open and was recently seen cruising through the streets on his red Vespa.

Jannik Sinner will enter the Wimbledon Championships as the defending champion, with the Major set to kick off on June 29. Meanwhile, fans will be hoping for Carlos Alcaraz’s return during the North American hard-court swing, ahead of his title defense at the US Open.