A massive shift is coming to the clay-court season as Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from his title defense, leaving the door wide open for his biggest rival. Yankee Scores reports…

Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will miss next month’s French Open no thanks to a wrist injury.

Alcaraz Sidelined: The Right Wrist Injury

The world number two has been nursing an injury to his right wrist. He also withdrew from last week’s Barcelona Open.

Meanwhile, he has subsequently pulled out of other preparatory clay events – the Italian Open and French Open.

Alcaraz, 22, had tests to determine the severity of the issue.

“After the results of the tests carried out today, we have decided that the most prudent thing to do is to be cautious and not participate in Rome or Roland Garros, while we assess the situation to determine when we can return to the court,” Alcaraz posted on Instagram.

“This is a difficult time for me, but I am sure we will come out of this stronger.”

Alcaraz started the year, winning his first Australian Open title – becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion won clay-court titles in Monte Carlo, Rome and Roland Garros last season, and reached the final in Barcelona.

Impact on the ATP Rankings: Sinner’s Advantage

He lost the world number one ranking to long-term rival Jannik Sinner this month, after losing to him in the Monte Carlo final, and could lose significant ground to the Italian in the rankings while sidelined.

Alcaraz’s French Open absence may create the opportunity for Sinner to secure his own career Grand Slam – with the French Open the only one missing from his collection.

Since qualifying for his first Slam in 2021, Spain’s Alcaraz has only missed one – when he had to withdraw from the 2023 Australian Open with a hamstring injury.