Wrong Direction: Carlos Alcaraz points finger after Jannik Sinner confirms six-month absence
Carlos Alcaraz has suggested that the relentless tennis schedule is to blame for injuries, as his biggest rival Jannik Sinner confirmed that he would be ending his 2026 season due to a knee issue. Sinner has not played a match since he successfully defended his Wimbledon title in July, and won’t be seen on the court again until January at the earliest – spending six months out of competition. Alcaraz himself was sidelined by a wrist injury for almost five months earlier this year, missing the French Open and Wimbledon. And the world No. 3 believes that players are being “pushed too much” by the demands of the tennis calendar.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion returned to action at the US Open in late August and has already found his feet, defending his Japan Open title in Tokyo earlier this week – his first title since February. But Alcaraz will not get to renew his rivalry with Sinner again this year, as the Italian recently confirmed that he was ending his 2026 season to undergo a course of therapy for his knee.
The world No. 1 had not played a match since beating Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final, missing the entire North American hard-court swing. Sinner also pulled out of the ATP 500 event in Beijing and the Shanghai Masters before shutting down his season altogether.
And when asked about his and Sinner’s long injury absences this year, Alcaraz wasted no time in pointing the finger at the congested tennis calendar. “Well, I would say one of the reasons we have to see the players who are getting injured, I think they [are] pushing us too much out of the line sometimes to play a lot of tournaments, to play a lot of matches, and I think this is getting in the wrong direction,” the Spaniard told ATP Media.
Alcaraz also sent his well-wishes to his rival, but reiterated his concerns about the schedule. He added: “I just wish Jannik the best for these months just to be in a good shape for the next season. Hopefully see him soon. But I think they have to see a little bit what’s going on, on the tour and with the players.”
The 23-year-old has been increasingly vocal about the demands of the tennis tour, which runs from January to late November, depending on whether a player qualifies for the ATP Finals or represents their nation at the Davis Cup Finals. A couple of years ago, he claimed “they are going to kill us in some way” when referring to the relenting nature of the tour.
According to The Times, Alcaraz recently withdrew from the player group that had been campaigning for the four Grand Slams to offer players a greater share of revenue, contribute to welfare schemes, and give them a say in decisions which affect them. It’s now understood that he has turned his attention to the bloated ATP calendar, with 12-day Masters tournaments and mandatory events raising concern.
During his comeback at the US Open, the world No. 3 also admitted that he would take breaks to avoid burnout and injuries in future. And Alcaraz has now confessed that he had doubts during his own wrist injury layoff.
“Honestly, I think injuries make you think a little bit in the wrong way. Sometimes, you know, I thought about, I don’t know it I was going to come back good, if I was going to come back the same player that I was before. If I was going to feel the wrist every forehand that I’m going to hit and everything,” he explained.
“So there were a couple of moments of doubts about myself. But I think when you’re surrounded by great people, a great team that you trust 100 per cent, I think everything comes easier.”
