Alexander Blockx twisted his ankle on a tarpaulin, according to The New York Times.
What happened
Blockx, a 21-year-old Belgian ranked No. 37, injured himself while practicing at the Paris Jean-Bouin club on May 27, 2026. He sprained his ankle during a session with Brazil’s João Fonseca, leading to his withdrawal from the French Open second-round match against No. 8 seed Alex de Minaur.
After the incident, Blockx expressed his frustration on social media, stating, “Unfortunately during today’s practice I heard a snap in my ankle while I sprained it thanks to the ‘really necessary’ covers at the back of the court.” His coach, Ruben Bemelmans, confirmed the team would consider seeking compensation, noting a lack of warning signs regarding the tarps.
Bemelmans criticized the necessity of the tarps, stating, “There should be a solution for that because the courts are very narrow.” He further elaborated, “Even if you look at the match court, they are much much bigger.”
Why it matters
The safety of practice courts at major tournaments is essential for player well-being. Incidents like Blockx’s raise concerns about inadequate safety measures and can impact player participation. Players have reported safety issues at the Jean-Bouin courts, increasing scrutiny on tournament logistics and responsibilities.
Background
On May 20, 2026, the French Open commenced amid ongoing discussions about player safety. Previous incidents of injury related to equipment and court conditions have prompted calls for improvements. In 2017, David Goffin, a former teammate of Bemelmans, also twisted his ankle on a tarpaulin at Roland Garros.
What’s next
Blockx’s team is expected to review options for pursuing compensation, while the French Tennis Federation may need to address safety concerns raised by players before the tournament concludes.
