Jannik Sinner described Carlos Alcaraz ’s absence from the French Open as “painful and very sad”.

The world No 1 found out about his rival’s withdrawal due to a wrist injury after battling to a 6-7 (6) 6-1 6-4 victory over Benjamin Bonzi in the second round of the Madrid Open .

Sinner and Alcaraz played one of the great grand slam finals at Roland Garros last year , with the Spaniard saving match points in a five-set thriller, while they also fought for the trophies at Wimbledon and the US Open.

“Tennis needs Carlos,” said Sinner. “Tennis is a much better sport when he’s around.

“But being young, going through difficult moments, it can happen. I do believe he’s going to come back stronger than before. But injuries are always tough, especially a wrist.

“There’s certain areas of our body what are very sensitive. The wrist, we saw with also other players in the past that they can complicate our life.…