Jannik Sinner speaks on Carlos Alcaraz absence ahead of Italian Open

He’s repeated that belief ahead of his opening match at the Italian Open, saying it’s a shame he won’t have the chance to take on one of the game’s biggest challenges on his way to a potential title.

“You could see for a long time that he has the ability to reach unbelievably high levels, where it almost becomes impossible to keep up with him,” Sinner said. “But I believe I’m a very consistent player.”

“I try to stay mentally focused on every single point and give my maximum all the time. Whether you’re world No.1 or No.2 doesn’t change much, because every match starts from zero and everything is decided on the court.”

While Alcaraz recovers, there are others who could benefit. Novak Djokovic, in particular, may gain an edge after their hard-fought battle in Melbourne earlier this year.

Carlos Alcaraz’s return from injury: what we know so far

Wrist injuries require careful management, and Alcaraz’s camp will be taking no chances with his recovery.

This type of problem has ended or altered more than a few careers, with Juan Martin del Potro and Dominic Thiem serving as reminders of what can go wrong if things aren’t handled properly.

Alcaraz is still young and already carving out an impressive legacy. Losing him to a long-term injury would be a huge blow, not just for him but for the sport as a whole.

There’s little reason for the 23-year-old to rush back when he still has so much ahead of him.

A recent update suggested he might return as early as Queen’s, though Wimbledon is looking like the more realistic target for now.