Carlos Alcaraz's blistering start to the 2026 ATP season hit an unexpected speed bump earlier this month, leaving tennis fans on edge. After surrendering the world number one ranking to Jannik Sinner in Monte Carlo, the Spanish sensation headed to Barcelona with hopes of defending his 2025 title. But what began as a promising campaign quickly unraveled.

During his opening match against Otto Virtanen, Alcaraz showed signs of discomfort in his right wrist. The issue forced him to withdraw from Barcelona, and soon after, from the Madrid Open as well. To the dismay of fans worldwide, he subsequently pulled out of both the Italian Open and Roland Garros, casting a shadow over his clay-court season.

Now, six-time Grand Slam doubles champion Rennae Stubbs has weighed in on Alcaraz's situation, pointing to a surprising potential culprit: golf. "One thing I do wonder is that he's playing a lot of golf," Stubbs said on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast. "If you play golf well, you're taking divots and using your wrist a lot. I don't know if that's causing problems—a doctor could answer that better than I can."

Stubbs also raised concerns about recent changes to Alcaraz's service motion. Before the 2026 season, Alcaraz tweaked his serve, drawing comparisons to Novak Djokovic's technique—so much so that Djokovic jokingly threatened "copyright" infringement earlier this year. But Stubbs isn't a fan. "He changed his service motion this year, starting with that little wrist bend," she explained. "I think about Novak and his elbow issues. I have to say, I do not like the start of that serve. That little hitch, then bending it back again—I don't know if that's causing wrist problems."

To add to the intrigue, reports suggest Alcaraz ended his physical therapy after just two weeks, raising further questions about his recovery approach. For a player known for his explosive style and relentless energy, these setbacks are a stark reminder that even the brightest stars need to protect their most valuable assets—their bodies. As fans await his return, the tennis world is left wondering: will a simpler serve and less time on the golf course be the keys to keeping Alcaraz healthy and at the top of his game?