Following his defeat in the Monte Carlo final against Jannik Sinner and his withdrawal from the Rome Masters 1000, the uncertainty surrounding two-time defending Paris Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz’s participation in this year’s tournament has continued for several weeks. Ultimately, he has decided not to defend his title, citing an injury to his right wrist.
In France, Lens secured a dramatic draw against Brest. After narrowly avoiding a heavy defeat, RC Lens fought back in the last 30 minutes to secure a valuable point in the title race. However, they have given PSG the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table. The title race is also fierce in England, where Arsenal lost their way last week against Manchester City. The Londoners cannot afford any more slip-ups and are hosting Newcastle Saturday. In Spain, barring any surprises, Barça remain top, helped by another setback for Real Madrid.