Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal from Roland Garros has unsurprisingly dominated headlines for the last few days.
After all, it has seen arguably the sport’s most revered player at the moment ruled out of one of its biggest tournaments, one in which he was the two-time defending champion.
He would have been the heavy favourite to retain his crown too, and therefore his absence will be hugely notable.
However, despite what many of the players are saying, this does represent a promising and positive opportunity for them to genuinely challenge for a Grand Slam title.
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Carlos Alcaraz will miss Rome and Roland Garros…
For years, both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have completely dominated tennis’ most elite events. And now, suddenly, one half of that duopoly has gone.
Novak Djokovic will likely be the first to recognise the opportunity that is emerging from this misfortune.
Nicolas Mahut predicts how Novak Djokovic will be feeling after Carlos Alcaraz’s Roland Garros withdrawal
This is not an unpopular suggestion, even if the measured 38-year-old will likely have far more respect for his rivals than that.
However, it’s hard not to think about how different Djokovic’s search for a 25th Grand Slam title might have been had Alcaraz not been so ever-present.
Nicolas Mahut, speaking to L’Equipe, has now actually voiced such an opinion, both outlining his sadness whilst also recognising the opportunity.
He claimed: “We’re disappointed for him (Alcaraz) already.
“We’re also disappointed for the French fans and we’re disappointed for Roland Garros. Because when he’s on the court, there’s a show.
“Afterwards, it will give hope to other players. There’s one who might not be disappointed, and that’s Djokovic.”
Jannik Sinner has given his reaction to Alcaraz’s withdrawal, expressing huge sympathy towards his great rival. However, he is another whose chances have been boosted by his absence.
Every time Novak Djokovic has played Carlos Alcaraz at a Grand Slam
Whilst their overall head-to-head record is hugely competitive with five wins apiece, when Djokovic has had to face Alcaraz at major tournaments, results have been skewed somewhat.
After all, the Spaniard has clearly been able to raise his level for these big occasions, and his efforts to defeat the legendary veteran of the sport are admittedly made easier when the match format is extended to best-of-five sets.
Of the six times they have played at Grand Slam tournaments, Alcaraz has won four of them, three of which came in the final.
Their first-ever meeting at a major came in 2023, when Djokovic won that Roland Garros semi-final and went on to claim the title.
Can anyone now stop Jannik Sinner from winning Roland Garros after Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal?
If yes, who?
However, he would then lose the following Wimbledon final, and the same match the following year.
The Serbian got one back in the 2025 Australian Open, but again, later that year, Alcaraz won their US Open semi-final showdown, and would also go on to claim the title.
Most recently, the 22-year-old beat the 24-time Grand Slam champion in the Australian Open final.