World No.1 Jannik Sinner said Tennis is a much better sport when Carlos Alcaraz is around. The Spaniard has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Roland Garros after a right-hand wrist injury.

Thus, the Italian will enter the French Open as a favorite and he would look to clinch his maiden title in Paris. Sinner said tennis needs Carlos Alcaraz and wished him a speedy recovery.

“I think what’s most important is to say that tennis needs Carlos,” the eight-time Masters 1000 champion said. “Tennis is a much better sport when he’s around.”

Sinner said he looks at the draw with a different perspective when Alcaraz is playing.

“For me, it’s nice when he’s around,” he said. “It makes me look at the draw and see the matches in a different way. Even if I were to face Carlos, it would always be in the final.”

Sinner is hopeful that Alcaraz comes back strongly on the tour and wants his rival to play at his top level.

“I do believe he’s going to come back stronger than before,” Sinner said. “I hope he’s going to come back and he will not have any further injuries. But I also believe that it’s good that he and his team take the time.

“If you come back too early, then maybe you have a bigger problem afterwards. We all want that he’s competitive when he comes back.”

Sinner admitted it was a tough opening match when he lost the first set against Benjamin Bonzi in the first round at the Madrid Open.

“It was a tough opening match,” he shared. “I [tried] to battle through somehow with very unique conditions here. I’m trying to get used to them. I’m happy.

“I know that I have to improve, but today the most important part was to win somehow, and then we’ll see how the next one goes.”

Sinner will take on Elmer Møller in the round of 32 on Sunday.