Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have both withdrawn from the upcoming Italian Open, set to begin on May 10th. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, on the other hand, will participate in the tournament. This marks the third consecutive event on the European clay circuit where the top three players (Djokovic, Alcaraz, and Sinner) won’t appear together.
Djokovic, who turns 37 this month, is selective about which tournaments he plays in. He skipped the Madrid Open, which both Alcaraz and Sinner attended. Djokovic stated that he’s focusing on preparing his body for Grand Slams and the Olympics. The Serbian’s main goal is to win the French Open and achieve his 25th Grand Slam title.
Concerns are growing about the frequency of injuries for 21-year-old Alcaraz, which could negatively impact his career. He’ll miss the Italian Open due to an injury. Since winning the Indian Wells Open title in March, Alcaraz’s form has suffered, particularly against bigger hitters.
Sinner, on the other hand, may benefit from some much-needed rest. After winning both the Australian Open and Miami Open, the 22-year-old Italian had to withdraw from a match against Felix Auger-Aliassime due to a hip injury. Sinner has been playing non-stop for around six months, so the break could help him recover in time for the French Open.
The absence of the top three players in the three major clay tournaments this year is disappointing for tennis fans. The rigorous schedule, combined with Djokovic nearing the end of his career, makes it likely that this trend may continue. Fans will need to adjust their expectations accordingly.
