In short
Emergency tennis podcast reacting to Carlos Alcaraz withdrawing from Rome and Roland Garros due to a wrist/forearm injury after his first match in Barcelona. Hosts discuss the Instagram statement about test results, the uncertainty of recovery, and how the absence reshapes the French Open draw and pressure on other contenders—especially Jannik Sinner.
Guests
David Law (tennis commentator/analyst) and Matt Roberts (tennis pod host/commentator). Both react personally and tactically to the news.
Key claims
Alcaraz’s statement suggests seriousness because it omits a clear “back for grass” timeline. Tennis needs Alcaraz for excitement and rivalry; his absence could make the tournament feel less competitive, though Sinner is still expected to face challenges. The draw becomes “open,” with Djokovic and Zverev as potential obstacles.
Notable examples
Alcaraz’s wrist brace at the Laureus Sports Awards; comparison to Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal’s past wrist injury; 2009 Wimbledon disappointment; Sinner’s drop-shot development on clay; speculation about Djokovic’s seeding and Rome participation.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOAlcaraz's Withdrawal Announcement
0:45 to 2:14
Discussion of Alcaraz's decision to withdraw from tournaments due to injury.
“It's a complicated moment for me, but I'm sure we'll come out stronger from here.”
Reactions to the News
2:14 to 4:32
Hosts share their reactions and sentiments regarding Alcaraz's absence from Roland Garros.
“That appearance at the awards, the fact that he said, you know, I've got to make sure I play the long game here and don't cause myself further problem.”
Impact on Men's Tennis
4:32 to 7:03
Discussion on how Alcaraz's absence affects the dynamics of men's tennis.
“I'd be more concerned about one Martin Del Potro, probably, because he had a wrist injury that changed his entire career.”
Comparison with Historical Injuries
7:03 to 10:10
Hosts compare Alcaraz's situation to past injuries in men's tennis history.
“Yeah, I'm glad you didn't ask me to recreate my reaction of when I saw the news, because we would have needed an expletive on this live show.”
Future Prospects for Sinner and Others
10:10 to 14:01
Discussion about potential outcomes for Yannick Sinner and the competitive landscape ahead.
“But I also don't think he's the level of devastated that Carlos Alcaraz would be if the roles were reversed.”
Analyzing the Draw After Alcaraz's Departure
14:01 to 16:59
Discussion on the implications of Alcaraz's absence and the competitive draw dynamics.
“it's unlikely to get much better than this, isn't it?”
Potential Dark Horses in the Tournament
17:00 to 21:09
Exploring lesser-known players who could make a deep run at Roland Garros.
“I think people always feel like they can take it to him.”
The Impact of Tennis Injuries on Players
21:10 to 24:16
Reflection on injuries in tennis, particularly focusing on Alcaraz and their effects on players' careers.
“And when you hear the news, like I'm obviously initially just totally gutted for Alcaraz.”
Injury Analysis: Alcaraz's Recent Struggles
24:17 to 28:00
Examining the nature of Alcaraz's injury and its implications for his career and scheduling.
“And, you know, it has been increasingly a talking point for us.”
Alcaraz's Injury and Tournament Implications
28:00 to 29:10
Discussion about Carlos Alcaraz's injury and its implications for his performance and tennis health.
“Four of his five matches in Monte Carlo were straight setters.”
Show all 19 chapters
Speculation on Alcaraz's Viewing Habits
29:10 to 30:24
Speculations on whether Alcaraz will watch Roland Garros and how he may cope with missing the tournament.
Cameron Norrie's Upcoming Wedding Plans
30:24 to 32:08
Discussion about Cameron Norrie's wedding plans and his character as a fun person.
“Remember Cameron Norrie declaring that he was an Ibiza guy?”
Draw Predictions for Roland Garros
32:08 to 33:29
Predictions and analysis on the competition in the Roland Garros draw, especially following Alcaraz's exit.
“He wasn't pushed by Laura on that detail.”
Yannick Sinner's Game Development
33:29 to 37:04
Analysis of Yannick Sinner's improvements and how Alcaraz's absence could affect the tournament dynamics.
“Because if this had happened 12 months ago, Matt, we'd have mentioned Mazzetti before now in this pod.”
Impact of Rivalries on Player Growth
37:04 to 38:23
Discussion on how rivalries in tennis influence player development and strategies, using Alcaraz and Sinner as examples.
“to play on the clay than he kind of ever has been, as he showed in Monte Carlo as well.”
Updates on Personal Lives of Players
38:23 to 39:51
Updates and reactions regarding the personal lives of tennis players, including Morgan Riddle and Taylor Fritz.
“Although Hanna is resenting the Del Potro mention.”
Goran's Voicemail and Reflections
39:51 to 41:18
Discussion about Goran's recent voicemail and reflections on his past matches and tennis career.
“and no I don't think he did wasn't 100 % clarified but I got the sense that he didn't and he said I tried hard I didn't tank so do we believe him?”
Group Therapy on Alcaraz's Absence
41:18 to 42:00
A light-hearted wrap-up discussing feelings about Alcaraz's absence and thanking listeners for joining.
Reflections on Alcaraz's Absence
42:00 to 42:45
Discussion on the impact of Carlos Alcaraz's absence from Roland Garros.
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:10Matt Roberts:Hello and welcome to the tennis podcast, an emergency unplanned extra bonus tennis podcast. I've got a beer on the go because I was supposed to be at the pub right now, but instead I'm here forming a healing circle with my favourite people, David Law. and Matt Roberts following the news that Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, has withdrawn not only from Rome, but also from Roland Garros. He has said on Instagram, and I assume other social medias today, but I saw on Instagram, the post saying, after the results of the tests carried out today, We have decided that the most prudent thing is to be cautious and not participate in Rome and Roland Garros while we wait to assess the evolution to decide when we will return to the court.
1:06Matt Roberts:It's a complicated moment for me, but I'm sure we'll come out stronger from here. This is, of course, following a wrist or forearm injury that he sustained during his first match in Barcelona. It looks wristy to me. Certainly he's been pictured widely wearing the wrist brace, had to go to the Laureus Sports Awards, win his Sportsman of the Year award wearing his wrist brace. And you hear wrist injury and tennis player and well, I don't know about you, but I panic. I've heard the words Dominic Thiem too much in the last hour. um david could you recreate please your reaction to this news of a couple of hours ago
1:57David Law:um sadness for him sadness for the for the sport really because i think yannick sinner actually summed it up pretty well in that regard tennis needs people like carlos alkraz and men's tennis really needs Carlos Alcres at the moment because he has been such a huge feature of what's gone on for the last few years and he is electric and the rivalry is amazing with him and Sinner and the fact that he played Djokovic recently the Australian Open was amazing and you're not going to get many of those now with him and Djokovic in the same draw so of course it's just a huge shame I wasn't very surprised really given what we've seen and heard of the last few days.
2:44David Law:That appearance at the awards, the fact that he said, you know, I've got to make sure I play the long game here and don't cause myself further problem. I think he's absolutely right. Are you surprised by the timing, David?
2:59Matt Roberts:Because I know you've been probably the most pessimistic of all of us for the last 10 days or so since he got this injury in Barcelona. but are you surprised that he's called it this early? And isn't saying in that statement, I'll be back and raring to go for the grass. I think that's an interesting omission.
3:19David Law:One can only speculate and put two and two together with facts like those and with absences of information like that. And I think, you know, whatever I am about to say is speculation, right? I don't have any medical knowledge. I only know what I've heard the same as everybody else. But that would make me more concerned. Yeah, I'm concerned for him that it's serious. I mean, I remember a year ago, you know, coming up to a year ago when Artifees hurt his back. And he played that incredible match and he got through it and he pulled out and basically wasn't seen again for eight months. and yes, there was a very brief moment where he tried to play a tournament in the summer and listen, maybe this isn't like that.
4:11David Law:Maybe this is just precautionary and he's got an injury that it really would be stupid to test and he's going to play many more Roland Garros, as we hope. That's the hope with all of these guys. But there has to be a chance as well that it's something that they've got to be very, very careful with then I certainly would prefer they were. You mentioned Dominic Thiem. I'd be more concerned about one Martin Del Potro, probably, because he had a wrist injury that changed his entire career. And he still managed to get something out of it. But listen, it also may not...
4:48Matt Roberts:Yeah, he got more out of it than Dominic Thiem post-injury, I suppose, is why Thiem springs to mind to me as almost the most tragic.
4:56David Law:I do think Thiem was sliding a little anyway by that time. Del Potro, when he did his injury, looked like he could be about to just gatecrash the big three, four, you know. I just, I don't know. I don't know what's going to happen. I really hope that Carlos Alcraz is just being very sensible. I think whatever happens, it's sensible. But I hope it's sort of precautionary. and therefore it'll do what it needs to do in order for him to get out there as soon as possible and be fine, you know? And I think you've just got to take that on the chin. I mean, tennis doesn't end. Tennis is still going to be great.
5:41David Law:And now there are loads and loads of really interesting storylines. Yes, Carlos Arcaraz is going to be a massive miss, certainly for me anyway, because I love watching him play and I love the storylines he brings. but I'm also looking forward to the storylines that it leaves. It's just one of those things, isn't it?
5:59Matt Roberts:David with the optimistic take, as always. And I love that. I love that. And look, when we're there at Roland Garros, I'll hopefully feel the same, but like, it's a real bummer, isn't it? I mean, look, unless you're a diehard Yannick Cinefan and they are out there, we know they're out there, we hear from them, they're in the comments a lot. but like if you're just basically a tennis fan this is, it's nothing but terrible news right like Yannick Sinner said it, tennis needs Carlos Alcaraz this is a terrible bummer, the sport okay we've still got Yannick Sinner but like they elevate one another right, like they are greater than the sum of their parts and he in particular as an individual elevates men's tennis so much Like it's such a it's such a fatal wound to to men's tennis when he's absent.
6:58Matt Roberts:Matt, do you feel as funereal as you look? You are a man in black this evening. Yeah, I'm glad you didn't ask me to recreate my reaction of when I saw the news, because we would have needed an expletive on this live show. And I just sort of I just sort of messaged all the group chats just the same time with the news.
7:22Catherine Whitaker:yeah look it's gutting it's absolutely gutting I was just hearing Roberto Bautista Agu the other day describe Carlos Alcarez as a being of light which I thought was a lovely turn of phrase and it feels like a light's gone out right when you lose Carlos Alcarez from a tournament he sort of brightens every room every match every tournament that he's in and talking to Charlie Acrochere this afternoon he's made the point that you know this is a kind of a a stark reminder of the fragility of a big two in men's tennis because you lose one of them and suddenly the whole feel of that tournament feels different for example to when we used to lose one of the big three for example because you know you still had two of them um i guess my positive spin is is what david's saying there you know players are going to get injured and if in the long run of his career we look back on this and he just missed one slam because he did the right thing by withdrawing and not jeopardizing the rest of his season and the rest of his career then absolutely of course like in the long run of a career you can kind of live with Carlos Alcraz missing a slam it's just
8:37Matt Roberts:the it's just the wording of the statement worry you the the the uncertainty in it they're like that's the part that there isn't that see you on the grass exactly that's the bit and I think he I think at this stage maybe he doesn't quite know the how serious it is you know um I think there's going to be more tests done I'm sure yeah it's a it's a real shame and I think also because it kind of reminds me of 2009 Wimbledon. Like we might have a greatest match of all time curse, right? Because 2008 men's Wimbledon ends and everyone that goes into Wimbledon next year looking forward to hopefully a Federer and Nadal rematch, you know?
9:19And we don't get it. Nadal can't defend his title. And here it's like the last time we saw Alcaraz at Roland Garros,
9:26Catherine Whitaker:He was pulling off the most remarkable feat in that tiebreak. And you're going into it thinking, OK, got the memories of that. And then Alcaraz can't defend his Roland Garros title. It's just it's a massive blow. It really is.
9:41David Law:Who's going to be Andy Roddick then in this scenario?
9:46Jannik Sinner:Well, A, I know what your answer is, David, and B, we will come on to that. Should we talk about the Yannick Sinner of it all?
9:56Matt Roberts:I mean, let's say these roles were reversed. I think Yannick Sinner is absolutely gutted. I think he wants Alcaraz there. He would rather be trying to complete the career slam without Carlos Alcaraz in the draw. I absolutely think that. But I also don't think he's the level of devastated that Carlos Alcaraz would be if the roles were reversed. Like, I think for Carlos Alcaraz, it could cause him to kind of lose motivation almost. Like, he's so, his sort of sense of self is so contingent on Yannick Sinner. I'm not, I back Yannick Sinner to just sort of be okay, reach his peace with it and obviously now go on and win Roland Garros.
10:45Matt Roberts:Like I hope it's not a procession. It'd be cool to see him do the career slam but I don't ever want to see any tennis player in a procession really. I kind of always want competitive tennis and that is now the risk, isn't it David? That is now the scenario that, again, apart from the diehard Yannick Cinefans, that is the scenario that people that just want to see cool, fun, competitive tennis are now worried about.
11:13David Law:Yes, albeit in the scenario that we so often talk about of them meeting in the final, we're often talking about whether there'll actually be any competitive tennis until they face one another. So you might find there's more competitive tennis as a result of this. I mean look in terms of their what their respective reactions would have been until we actually have a Sinner withdrawal we're not going to know that for sure but I mean they are very different characters Carlos Alcaraz is a very emotional character who wears every emotion on his sleeve and he does get moved by things in that way and I think Sinner is really genuine when he reacted on the camera there on the court and and he was a little bit shaken by it you know but he is a very I mean he's very impressive the way the way he does just process cope and then move on I mean that is one of his absolute superpowers as an athlete um and as a character I think it's I mean it was quite interesting watching him get rocked by by Djokovic in that in that match in Australia I haven't seen him like that very often like two sets to one up and then get rattled um but you know it's a new pressure this isn't it it's it'll he'll go into this and it's i mean we'll see what happens over the next couple of weeks with madrid now you know he's won his first round match today albeit losing a set and then rome you know it is extra pressure in a way of well now you're supposed to win you You know, you really are.
12:53David Law:I mean, and that's hard on somebody who's never won it before. Clay, I still think, is probably his worst surface, even though he looks amazing on it. But, you know, you look at the draw, and there was going to be Carlos Alcrast and Yannick Sinner miles out in front of everybody else in terms of expectations. And you have to look at the rankings. Now you look at it, one of them's gone. The Sinner, there's a 38-year-old, who I think is 39 by the time he plays Roland Garros, who also, by the way, has won more Grand Slam titles than anybody. And I tell you what, I am really interested in how he gets along in this tournament.
13:34David Law:Yeah, I feel like he's sat up a little bit today, right? For sure. And he's just gone and beaten. He started doing his stretches. I mean, amazing. You know, like he wasn't that far away from beating the pack hunters. of Alkraza and Sinner back-to-back. Like, he was a setup on Alkraza. Then you've got Zverev. Is he ever going to do it? Is he ever going to get over the line? Well, it's unlikely to get much better than this, isn't it? You know, you're going to be in the other half of the draw from Yannick Sinner now, unless Novak Djokovic finds some way to become the second seed. He's the guy who's beaten you three times this year.
14:16David Law:Like, you've beaten everybody else. OK, there have been a couple who've beaten him last week, included with Flavio Caballi. But best of five sets favours him. He likes playing long matches. He's solid. It's his best slam. He's going to make you beat him. He's good on clay. He's going to get better between now and the French. He's supposed to be in the final. He is supposed to be there. But there again, there's pressure. I mean, it's just, to me, that is tantalising. seeing what the pressure does to these people and and what Djokovic might be able to do with that pressure given that he feels that he's not going to be pressured in the same way and actually I don't think Sinner is really because I just think Sinner is an unreal character um but to get back to your original point yeah I don't want to see one guy just go and win it without really being tested but actually I don't think that's going to happen I don't think we'll see Sinner just walk through this draw and win it without a challenge.
15:21David Law:I think he's a heavy favourite, and I would pick him to win it. But there are good players in this draw still, and I still can't wait. I mean, I am gutted, but I still can't wait.
15:34Matt Roberts:See, I think he might. I mean, it all depends on the draw, right? But I do think there is a not unlikely scenario where Yannick Senna cruises to this title and that will feel... I wouldn't consider it an asterisk at all. But it certainly would be, you know, people would remember Carlos Alcaraz wasn't there. And that would be a shame for Yannick Senna. I think Yannick Senna wants Carlos Alcaraz to be there. He wants to complete the Candice Lamb with Carlos Alcaraz in the draw. As I said, people in the chat, by the way, asking about whether Djokovic can get himself to second seed. He can. So the points gap at the moment between Zverev and Djokovic.
16:19Matt Roberts:Zverev's on 5 ,255, Djokovic on 4 ,710. So look, it's mathematically possible. Djokovic the other night at the Laureus Awards was asked whether he's going to play Rome and he said he wanted to, right? But he's trying to be fit. I'm not quite sure whether that's a sort of I need to feel prepared or whether there's a specific injury he's rehabbing. But it's mathematically possible if he were to play Rome and have a very good Rome. But I think it's unlikely for all sorts of reasons. and the the one the one positive i have for the man in black bottom of the screen is that it it does make the drawer extra interesting it all comes back to the drawer always we love the drawer and yeah look everyone everyone is going to want to be in that bottom half of the men's drawer because it it will feel so open you know even if I mean even if Zverev and Djokovic are both down there you know like I still think I still think that people like a Fies or a Musetti or even you know even you can branch it out further like a Caballi and you know these these guys everyone basically is going to fancy their chances I think even with of making it out of that half yes because reaching the final because okay Novak Djokovic is obviously a huge obstacle but he's he's not he says this off the back of the Australian Open he's not the force he was he's not like the sure bet that he was for years okay like he might get a niggle he might get injured okay he's had a decent run of health recently but he's kind of injured at the moment a little bit and we've you know we've seen him do his knee at Rodon Garros like you can't pencil him into the final, I don't think, even without a Siner or an Alkraz in his half.
18:29Zverev is always a bit more vulnerable. I think people always feel like they can take it to him. Actually beating him is hard. But honestly, everyone, Kaspar Ruz, with a couple of French Open finals to his name. Like, honestly, everyone, if they're in that half of the draw without Yannick Sinai... How deep are you going?
18:47Matt Roberts:What is the wildest name that you would throw out there for if they land in the bottom half of the draw? it wouldn't be ludicrous for them to think of reaching the final or for us to think of them reaching the final. I mean, you've said Hodah, you've said Rude.
19:07David Law:I genuinely believe... You said Kabbali. Hodah is, I'm just trying to look up his current ranking, he's 42 in the world. I do not think it is beyond the realms based on what I'm seeing from him the last couple of weeks and the way he's thrashing Alex de Menor at the moment. that he, if he stays fit and, you know, is handling it, that he could come through and reach the final, depending on what the draw is. I don't think that's impossible without... It's wild, isn't it?
19:38Jannik Sinner:Like, he could have Yannick Sinner in round one, or he could get a sweet, sweet draw
19:45Matt Roberts:that makes it feel like he could reach the final.
19:47David Law:And I think he could knock out somebody big along the way. You know, I probably would draw the line at Sinner. But, you know, with his artillery.
19:57Matt Roberts:David, what half of the draw you're hoping Art of Feast comes out in?
20:02David Law:Doesn't matter. Oh, come on. It's never mattered more. I mean, honestly, I'm just, I don't care.
20:13Jannik Sinner:I love that Vicky, by the way, who's stage managing this show, had an Art of Feast photo lined up knowing that this is going to be good. I just want him to be in the draw and fully fit. My dad has just said Monfils in the chat. What's happening?
20:29David Law:Let's party like it's 2010.
20:31Jannik Sinner:People are wondering why you haven't mentioned Joel Fonseca yet, David.
20:36David Law:Well, you know, we're coming on to him. I mean, I still, look, I do, I find it absolutely tantalising on another level. Because obviously I'm gutted. I'm gutted to be losing Alcraz. because I love watching the guy. And I mean, he's, you know, how can he, that's obvious, as you said, there's no way of dressing up that as anything other than bad news. But then I look at the draw and I can't wait now to see what it does and where people land and what they do with the chance. Yeah, it's like that thing of like, the sport is always bigger than one person, one player. And when you hear the news, like I'm obviously initially just totally gutted for Alcaraz.
21:18then I'm totally thinking about the tournament but as you talk it through you realise that I'm actually I'm mostly just sad for Carlos Alcaraz
Read the full transcript
21:27Catherine Whitaker:I can still find a lot of reasons to get very excited about the French Open and this I think is the most this is the biggest reason that land of opportunity in the other side of the draw and by the way there will be in my mind zero asterisk if Yannick Sinner wins this and completes the career slam. Novak Djokovic won the French Open in 2016 and Rafael Nadal withdrew with a wrist injury and no one brings that up. Okay, Novak Djokovic had beaten Rafael Nadal at Roland Gauss the year before, but it's in a hard match point against Carlos Alcaraz. He's beaten him on clay. He's the world number one.
22:04Like, they're kind of level. Like, there's no asterisk there in my mind. All I'll say is,
22:09Matt Roberts:I think all I'm saying is, like, people will remember. People will remember that Alcaraz wasn't there. But that's not an asterisk. And it's just a shame. It's just a shame. Remember that stat I had at the start of the year? We've never had a season in the history of tennis where two people have completed the career Grand Slam. Alcarez was the 19th person to do it across men and women. No two people have done it in the same year. So, you know. Let alone back-to-back slams. So witnessing history in real time is always pretty compelling as well. And now, are you right, the pressure? Now everyone's just expecting him to do that.
22:52Matt Roberts:I'm expecting him to do that. I'm not sure there's anyone back to handle that pressure in men's tennis more than Yannick Sinner. But it is still a test that we have never seen before for Yannick Sinner. so back to Art of Feast David
23:14David Law:yeah well I just want to see him fit and in the draw based on like the last two tournaments like get out of the first round Art of Feast because like he's been massively tested in his first matches in Barcelona and today in Madrid the guy has not won in straight sets at a Grand Slam and until he starts doing that in early rounds he has to be vulnerable. I mean, the guy's learning on the job how to be a Grand Slam player. But he's sealing.
23:49Matt Roberts:How many times did you think during his match today, like, oh God, why are you playing Madrid? Because now, like, honestly, I mean, I'm majority bummed out by this Alcaraz news. There's a part of me that was relieved because the worst case scenario for me was a not quite fit Carlos Alcaraz trying to play Roland Garros because the stakes felt too high to pull out so there's a part of me that was relieved that that scenario was off the table um but you know this probably isn't isn't the show for like the big picture conversation there was even before the Alcaraz news there's a big article um by Tom Kershaw in in the Times today about injuries in tennis and patterns.
24:39Matt Roberts:And, you know, it has been increasingly a talking point for us. You know, I just have this increasing anxiety about the strain on these athletes' bodies and this feeling of the canister, you know, and the canister not covering a full tennis season. You've got to be making difficult choices. And I know that Artifesis, David, had eight months of saving up canister. but I don't know, I'm suddenly like, everybody just wrap yourselves in cotton wool. It's not worth the risk. I don't know.
25:17David Law:Yeah, listen, my first and foremost reaction for Artifis is please let him be healthy at the French Open and let him give it a right and see where he can get to. And like we said, see if he can learn on the job how to be a Grand Slam player because I still don't think he's learned that yet. and I absolutely believe he will I also think he's going to have to get used to even though he's somebody I think who's a real showman whether it's this year or another year is going to draw from the crowds and really get better as a result of it all he's also got to learn how to handle that not get too emotional use all his energy up and all this sort of stuff but watching him today I thought he was going to lose that match because his opponent and Moussa was brilliant.
26:04David Law:He was a brilliant player for a start, and Feast was just hitting all over the place. And I watched today, I watched him, I watched Rabacchina, I watched Shelton, who all won tournaments last week, and all of them were really struggling to control the tennis ball. And, I mean, part of that, I think, I do look at, you know, that turnaround, is you just won a tournament, now you've got to come straight to another one. It's just so relentless, and you do think well you know would you be better off not playing this one and maybe playing Rome and then Ron and Garros I think there's definitely an argument for that but then in Madrid it's the altitude I'm sure of it like they can't they're just Feast talked about it after the match he just didn't he doesn't understand the conditions Sinner talked about it you know after his as well they're just it just takes some getting used to and I don't think it's the greatest form guide really as and a guide for ronan garros but yeah i mean guy like feast with that back injury yeah i have got my heart in my mouth for him um and i just hope he's going to be okay for the next well for the next 10 years but uh but certainly for the next few weeks
27:12Catherine Whitaker:just to bring it back to alcaraz and the discussion about the amount of tennis and all that kind of I think one of the reasons I'm sort of keen to just hear more from Carlos Alcruz is to find out a bit more about this injury. Because on the one hand, this is now several clay court seasons in a row where he's had some kind of injury, something bothering him. He's had to pull out of tournaments. He's been affected. So I think you can big picture look at his career and say maybe he needs to think about his scheduling during this part of the season. And we've talked about the difficulty of it with IMG events, events in Spain, all that kind of thing.
27:50Catherine Whitaker:So that's there on the one hand. But I think in this specific instance, what's interesting to me about the injury is that, OK, I know he went Monte Carlo to Barcelona back to back, but it wasn't like he'd had this huge volume of tennis. You know, he lost early in Miami. Four of his five matches in Monte Carlo were straight setters. and it's in the middle of the, you know, early in his first match in Barcelona that he does it. There is some speculation that he's actually, he's actually, he hit a weird shot, didn't he, in that match in Barcelona where he sort of, it was behind him. And rather than hitting it kind of on the backhand side, he sort of twisted his hand round.
28:32Matt Roberts:It was very Mantle Barami. There's a reference for the kids.
28:36David Law:That one's just for me, isn't it? David got it. It was at that point he went over to the umpire, right?
28:43Catherine Whitaker:and asked so it's it's there's some there's something in my mind saying that maybe it's a it's an acute injury that he's done in the moment rather than a workload amount of tennis injury I think I'm still a little unclear on on that and the sort of timeline of it all um but you know I just think that's worth putting out there but it doesn't it it doesn't take away from from your points about how there's so much tennis and you know we're just concerned about sort of everyone's
29:15Jannik Sinner:health all the time yeah it would almost make you wonder if maybe you know the authorities all do you know think maybe we've got a problem here and we should do something about it and there's too much tennis and we're asking too much of these top players anyone think that's gonna happen yeah no me either
29:41Matt Roberts:I think he's going to find it really hard Carlos Alcaraz isn't he being at home for a for a Roland Garros like FOMO wise I'm really
29:55Jannik Sinner:I don't know I'm just relating to him like I think he's going to find it really really hard be interesting to know whether he will
30:02David Law:be glued to it or whether he'll just try to avoid it I think he'll watch I remember Feast saying that he didn't watch any at all while he was out I don't think he was that interested really but I think Al Kraz is just a big massive tennis fan
30:18Matt Roberts:I think he'll watch on that sofa that we've all seen with the chaotic trophy shelf to the right of the telly I mean the thing is you can't you can't practice with that injury it looks like he's got it in the splint hasn't he to completely immobilise the joint so lots of leg days
30:44David Law:keep your fitness up can't you your cardio and all that which you wouldn't be able to do if you had a knee injury or an Achilles unless you hold the room and he seems to be able to still carry on
30:55Matt Roberts:might have to put the golf clubs away RIP Carlos Alcaraz golf content people in the chat making the point what does this mean for the Ibiza trip these are all the big questions the Ibiza trip starts now
31:10Jannik Sinner:it might be great for the Ibiza trip could be a month long bender one massive Ibiza trip doing the world a good
31:20Jannik Sinner:yeah he's got that he's got that rhythm going hasn't he Ron Garrow, Ibiza, Queens, Wimbledon what does it mean it would just be Cameron Norrie in Ibiza on his own. Remember Cameron Norrie declaring that he was an Ibiza guy? He was asked earlier by Laura Robson on Sky what part of the wedding that he is taking care of this year. Cameron Norrie is getting married in December and he said the after party. He is organising the party. He's a fun guy. He's just gone and beaten your man there. Does he mean the reception? Just beaten the best player in the world. Hang on, does he mean like the wedding reception or does he mean like there's a party after the wedding reception, like, you know, like a rave or something?
32:08Two DJs, he said.
32:11Jannik Sinner:At the same time? Who can say? He wasn't pushed by Laura on that detail. Hashtag journalism is dead. Any more angles on the Al Karazni?
32:26Matt Roberts:Matt, what do you want to happen in the orangery with the draw now?
32:32David Law:Carnage.
32:37Gosh, that is a good question. I think I would take just like a battle royale in the other half of the draw to Yannick Sinner. Like sort of everybody else? Yeah, I think because I do think Sinner will make the final either way. and I think as you know kind of to David's point like we've got an opportunity here for real real jeopardy in one half of the draw and like a real I don't know what's going to happen and I think putting like a lot of the
33:09Catherine Whitaker:contenders down there I think would just be fascinating like those days imagine if you know Fies and Hodder and Djokovic and Zverev and Mazzetti you know imagine if they're all on court with this massive opportunity it's big for Mazzetti isn't it and kind of all building to each other to me that would be fascinating yeah but you know we take what we're given in the orangery
33:35David Law:we enjoy it regardless
33:38Jannik Sinner:Mazzetti must be desperate just to get himself fit and into some form I mean he was anyway wasn't he and he was playing a lot better today I would say I think already we're seeing the confidence coming back a little bit in the big moments he was going after his forehand against her catch
33:54Catherine Whitaker:in a way that he hadn't really in his last couple of tournaments, using the drop shot well. He's talking more positively as well. I think he might...
34:02Matt Roberts:Because if this had happened 12 months ago, Matt, we'd have mentioned Mazzetti before now in this pod. Definitely. Yeah, well, he lost to Carlos Alcres last year, didn't he? He took a set off him. He'd have been very prominent in the conversation. Absolutely. He might be sort of timing his charge, you know, like build a bit more confidence in Madrid, go into Rome as a big event for him. and then it's all about the draw because get him in the other half and yeah, he'll be rubbing his hands together.
34:36Matt Roberts:David, before we go, just time for a big Fonseca prediction if you fancy doing one of those.
34:45David Law:No, I'll have a look at the draw and I also want to see what he's going to do for the next couple of weeks really. I think he's got stuff to prove even if I have just drafted him into my fantasy team at the expense of Taylor Fritz. I mean, you know, he's earned his place there, but I expect more than the quarterfinals he's been dishing up so far. So, actually, isn't he going to play Hodder now? Because I think he's got a walkover tonight, Fonseca, against Marin Cilic. So, I mean, I might be a little bit higher on Hodder for the French Open than Fonseca at the moment. I've got to be honest. So, you know.
35:25Catherine Whitaker:A lot can change in 12 months, can't it? He's definitely going high on Hodder.
35:29Jannik Sinner:Yeah. David, did you know who Raphael Hodder was 12 months ago?
35:34David Law:No, I'd never heard of him.
35:39David Law:Fonseca let me down a year ago, didn't he? You know, I mean, it's all about me, really, in the end.
35:44Catherine Whitaker:one um one thing on sinner you know again i love i love drawing these parallels when you think about that uh press conference after the u.s open last year when he just lost to alcaraz and he was talking about the variety and everything and you know you think of that as a as a weapon to try and beat carlos alcaraz that he wants to incorporate that into his game well now he's going into one of the biggest tournaments of his career you know trying to complete the career slam but his biggest rival isn't there and yet i think all of the stuff that he's been doing to try and beat his biggest rival is still helpful and again i draw this comparison with federer in 2009 he he developed a forehand drop shot federer that year kind of in mind of thinking that had helped me against nadal at roland garros i mean just got smoked in the roland garros final the year before he ends up not having to play rafael nadal but my goodness a drop shot helps him against Juan Martín del Potro and Robin Serdling, these big guys who aren't as comfortable moving forward.
36:48Catherine Whitaker:And Yannick Sinner today on the clay was drop shotting almost every game he was incorporating that shot. And he seems a lot more comfortable with it now. And so even without Carlos Alcabas being there, I just think he is better set up now to play on the clay than he kind of ever has been, as he showed in Monte Carlo as well. And that's because of the wider developments that he's done in his game. And those have come about because of the rivalry with Carlos Alcrest, the way they're pushing each other. It's just interesting. And I do think if Sinner were to face, you know, a Djokovic, for example.
37:26Catherine Whitaker:Okay, I know he beat Djokovic in straight sets at Roland Garros last year, but it was a close match. And I think you can forget just how sort of dangerous Djokovic felt that night at times because it ended in straight sets. And even something like a drop shot that he's got now might help him in kind of that match as well. When we saw the way Djokovic was able to kind of out hit him in Australia, you know, like he's got the drop shot now. He feels more comfortable with that. So, you know, kind of, he's not gonna have to beat Carlos Alcaraz to win this French Open, but the way Carlos Alcaraz has forced him to develop his game might end up also helping him win the French Open.
38:07Catherine Whitaker:And I think that's kind of interesting in the way that these rivals are just always impacting each other, even when they're not actually facing each other. The presence of Carlos Alcres will still be felt at Roland Garros in Yannick Sinner's drop shot, is basically what I'm saying.
38:23Jannik Sinner:That's such a great point. Although Hanna is resenting the Del Potro mention. I forget. I think Hanna's had enough Del Potro trauma tonight. I get how sensitive Hannah is to any mention of Del Potro, you know, sadness. I respect it. I love Hannah's love for Del Potro. Just wrapping up a few points from the chat, people wanting updates on Morgan Riddle and Taylor Fritz. I think they have broken up. That is what the streets are saying. How do we know that? I think so, yeah. Live reaction to that, David? oh
39:05I don't really have one there were some rumours a few weeks ago weren't there but then Morgan commented on something and tagged Fritz in but there's since been yeah
39:18Jannik Sinner:I think it's done yeah is what I'm hearing yeah it's a shame I liked them together
39:26Matt Roberts:and people want a Goran voicemail update people in the chat that were with us for our friends live show a couple of nights ago david received a well david was live texting goran on the show and then received a voice note
39:41Jannik Sinner:which he declared he couldn't couldn't play out live on the show for for obvious reasons um could you could you pricey did goran get paid david there were a lot of swear words
39:57David Law:and no I don't think he did wasn't 100 % clarified but I got the sense that he didn't and he said I tried hard I didn't tank so
40:16Jannik Sinner:do we believe him? I think he would fess up he sounded really quite pissed off he was just crap he was crap so it was just terrible
40:26David Law:and it ended up it then went off on a detour and he started talking about when he lost to Nick Brown at Wimbledon in 1991 a match I remember so I then brought up the one where he played Chris Bailey and he hit a second serve let cord on match point down that dribbled over and then he followed it with a second serve ace down the middle and broke British hearts but he said he he says he feels as though he helped British players gain attention and all the rest of it it feels like Britain owes him just as the crap
41:03Jannik Sinner:Goran says Hannah in the chat absolutely and I feel like we should end this show on a moment of silence for Owen in our fantasy league who pretty much bet his house on Carlos Alcaraz didn't he there wasn't much budget left over for anything else put it that way lily tagger's gonna need a big french open for her put it that way
41:28David Law:that would be great that that's why some of us built a deep squad like the seattle seahawks you know and don't just rely on one big fancy dan quarterback you know or a big carlos alcaraz pick you go and build a nice deep when david says fancy dan
41:48Jannik Sinner:I had never heard the expression Fancy Dan before podcasting with David Law it's one of my absolute I heard it on a like a Netflix show the other night and Americans say it too I thought it was a like tollyhole thing yeah
42:05David Law:so you see you're either a fancy Dan or a duffer there's nothing in between
42:13Jannik Sinner:right you've
42:14Matt Roberts:you've cheered me up David I was pretty bummed out a couple of hours ago but this has been a great group therapy session look we all wish Carlos Alcaraz were playing Roland Garros but you know sometimes
42:30Jannik Sinner:you appreciate things more when absence makes the heart grow fonder that's the
42:35Matt Roberts:expression I'm reaching for post beer so yeah Carlos get well soon we hope to see you on the grass And thank you everyone for joining us live tonight. If you did, for contributing to the chat, if you managed to do so without trolling. And thank you for listening. We'll be back with our regularly appointed schedule on Monday. Matt, hopefully out of his funeral clothes, but who can say? It is your right, Matt, to grieve for as long as you need to. Well, Fulham are playing tomorrow and we've failed to score in five of our last six games. so just go to sleep in him Matt it's fine yeah okay Matt the man in black back on Monday
43:22Jannik Sinner:as are we uh we'll speak to you then
From the publisher
Catherine, David and Matt convened for an emergency live show to react to the sad news that defending champion Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from next month's Roland Garros due to a wrist injury.
We discussed what this means for Alcaraz, how it might affect Jannik Sinner going for the Career Slam, and the different feel the tournament will have without Alcaraz. Who can step up in his absence?
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