Following a series of tests on an injured wrist, the World No.2 confirmed he will not be able to defend his crown at Roland Garros, a development that fundamentally shifts the betting landscape for the season's second Grand Slam.
The Injury: What Happened to Alcaraz?
The injury that sidelined the Spaniard occurred during the Barcelona Open. Alcaraz sustained a right wrist injury during his first-round match against qualifier Otto Virtanen.
Although he managed to win that encounter, he was forced to withdraw from the remainder of the tournament the following day. After skipping the Madrid Open to prioritise recovery, Alcaraz underwent a final medical assessment on April 24, 2026.
The results were not what he or his fans hoped for. Alcaraz took to social media to make the announcement.
Reports suggest that the injury involves a significant strain to the tendons in his hitting wrist, an area that has plagued him sporadically over the last twelve months.
Alcaraz’s Roland Garros Record
Alcaraz’s absence is a seismic loss for the tournament given his historical dominance in Paris. Heading into 2026, he was aiming for a "three-peat" and held a formidable record:
- Back-to-Back Champion: He won the title in 2024 and 2025.
- The Sinner Rivalry: His 2025 victory was secured in an epic five-set final against Jannik Sinner, a match widely regarded as a changing-of-the-guard moment in tennis.
- Surface Dominance: Before this withdrawal, Alcaraz had won over 90% of his matches on clay over the previous two seasons.
2026 French Open Winner Betting Odds
The betting markets have reacted instantly to the news. With Alcaraz out of contention, Jannik Sinner has moved to a heavy odds-on favourite.
Sinner, currently the World No.1, now has his best chance to complete a Career Grand Slam. His primary competition is expected to be Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic.
The value has largely evaporated from Sinner’s outright price. The alternative markets could now be targeted by savvy punters.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jannik Sinner |
1.42 |
| Alexander Zverev |
7.00 |
| Novak Djokovic |
11.00 |
| Arthur Fils |
17.00 |
| Lorenzo Musetti |
17.00 |
| Joao Fonseca |
17.00 |
| Casper Ruud |
26.00 |
| Jack Draper |
29.00 |
| Daniil Medvedev |
34.00 |
| Holger Rune |
34.00 |
| Jakub Mensik |
41.00 |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas |
41.00 |
| Rafael Jodar |
51.00 |
| Valentin Vacherot |
51.00 |
| Ben Shelton |
51.00 |
| Taylor Fritz |
51.00 |
| Tommy Paul |
51.00 |
| Alex De Minaur |
51.00 |
| Francsico Cerundolo |
51.00 |
| Andrey Rublev |
67.00 |
| Jiri Lehecka |
67.00 |
| Tomas Machac |
67.00 |
| Hubert Hurkacz |
67.00 |
| Sebastian Korda |
67.00 |
| Matteo Berrettini |
67.00 |
| Karen Khachanov |
67.00 |
| Frances Tiafoe |
67.00 |
| Flavio Cobolli |
67.00 |
| Felix Auger Aliassime |
101.00 |
| Learner Tien |
101.00 |
| Alejandro Tabilo |
101.00 |
| Alejandro Davidovich Fokina |
101.00 |
| Nicolas Jarry |
101.00 |
| Jaume Munar |
101.00 |
| Tallon Griekspoor |
101.00 |
| Alexander Bublik |
101.00 |
| Ugo Humbert |
101.00 |
| Grigor Dimitrov |
101.00 |
| Luciano Darderi |
201.00 |
| Cameron Norrie |
201.00 |
Source: Stake.com with odds correct on 25 April 2026