“Carlos Alcaraz out of the Italian Open: Doubts about Djokovic and Raducanu.”

The Italian Open is being shaken by a series of significant absences that promise to disrupt the dynamics of the tournament. At the center of attention is Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, who finds himself sidelined from the circuit due to a serious wrist injury, raising a red flag for the tennis world. However, uncertainties surrounding the participation of Novak Djokovic and Emma Raducanu add even more unpredictability to this high-level competition.

Carlos Alcaraz, currently ranked number 2 in the world and a strong favorite for the event, suffered a wrist injury during the Barcelona Open, which forced him to withdraw in the second round. Initially, the young Spaniard believed he could recover in time for the Madrid Masters, but medical examinations revealed that the issue is more serious than previously thought. As a result, Alcaraz is out not only of this tournament in Rome but also of the Roland Garros, leaving a significant void in the competitive field.

Alcaraz’s dominance in Rome, where he won the title last year by defeating local idol and current world number 1, Jannik Sinner, will not be tested this year. With the Spaniard absent, Sinner emerges as the clear favorite for the title, especially if Novak Djokovic decides not to compete – it should be noted that the Serbian, a six-time winner of the Italian Open, already skipped the tournament in 2025.

Djokovic, who has not played since his loss to Jack Draper at Indian Wells on March 12, is also an unknown. The Serbian player has already withdrawn from the Masters in Monte Carlo and the Masters in Madrid, citing an injury he has yet to recover from. Should he appear in Rome, Djokovic will be the third seed, behind Sinner and Alexander Zverev.

In addition to these names, other top figures will also be absent: Taylor Fritz, world number 7, is out due to a persistent knee injury, as is Jack Draper, who was injured in Barcelona and will also miss Roland Garros. Holger Rune, who underwent surgery for an Achilles tendon rupture last year, is still recovering and will not play in Rome.

The official withdrawal list for the ATP Italian Open also includes Arthur Cazaux, Kamil Majchrzak, and Eliot Spizzirri, all replaced by players who will try to seize the opportunity.

On the women’s side, the news is more positive. The tournament organizers can count on the top 50 players in the WTA ranking, with Aryna Sabalenka leading the pack. Defending champion Jasmine Paolini will also be present, along with stars Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek. However, British player Sonay Kartal, ranked 55th in the world, is out due to a back injury, and there are doubts about the participation of Gauff and Swiatek, who faced health issues at the Madrid Masters.

Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, remains sidelined from the circuit after a viral outbreak that has kept her out since Indian Wells, while Amanda Anisimova missed Madrid due to a wrist injury.

The schedule for the Italian Open will thus undergo significant changes, with key absences that could rewrite the landscape of world tennis in the coming weeks. The absence of Alcaraz is a heavy blow, but the uncertainty surrounding Djokovic and Raducanu keeps fans in total suspense. What is certain is that Rome promises an unpredictable edition, where new protagonists will have a golden opportunity to establish themselves at the top of the sport.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.