Carlos Alcaraz is set to make his competitive return at the US Open following a four-month absence caused by a right wrist injury sustained at the Barcelona Open in April. The 23-year-old Spanish champion, who won the tournament in 2025, confirmed his comeback through a joint Instagram post with football influencer Fabrizio Romano on 20 August.
Alcaraz's injury has kept him sidelined since 14 April, forcing him to miss the majority of the clay-court season, the entire grass campaign, and several warm-up events leading into the year's final Grand Slam. His wrist condition was described as ongoing when he withdrew from Cincinnati, raising questions about his readiness for Flushing Meadows.
The defending champion achieved a remarkable milestone earlier in 2026 by becoming the youngest man to win all four Grand Slam titles after triumphing at the Australian Open in January. That victory came after he defeated Novak Djokovic in four sets to complete the career Grand Slam, making him the ninth man in the Open era to achieve that feat. However, his dominance at the start of the year contrasted sharply with the challenges that followed.
Following his Australian Open success, Alcaraz won the Qatar Open in February but struggled at subsequent events, losing in the semi-finals at Indian Wells in March and the third round of the Miami Open. His form deteriorated further when Jannik Sinner defeated him in the final of April's Monte Carlo Masters, a result that saw Sinner ascend to world number one. Alcaraz managed only one match in Barcelona before the wrist injury forced him to withdraw from competition entirely.
How serious is the wrist injury?
Wrist injuries present particular challenges for professional tennis players and can have lasting career implications if not managed carefully. Alcaraz's injury was diagnosed as tenosynovitis, an inflammation in the sheath surrounding wrist tendons, a condition that requires cautious rehabilitation. The player himself expressed concern in April about avoiding further damage that could affect his future tournaments.
The severity of wrist injuries in tennis is underscored by recent career trajectories in the sport. Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem retired at the end of 2024 after his career was derailed by a wrist injury, while Juan Martin del Potro experienced prolonged difficulties following a wrist problem that emerged after winning his sole major at the 2009 US Open. These cautionary examples highlight why Alcaraz's gradual return to training has been carefully managed.
What has Alcaraz done to prepare?
After missing the majority of the clay-court swing and the entire grass season, Alcaraz began a cautious return to training in July. He was photographed hitting at a training session in Spain on 4 August, but withdrew from the Cincinnati Open a day later, indicating that competitive readiness remained uncertain. He has worn a protective sleeve on his forearm during subsequent workouts on his home courts in Murcia and has been practising with Denmark's Holger Rune in recent weeks.
Rune, a close friend of Alcaraz, is himself returning to training after rupturing his Achilles tendon in October of the previous year. The partnership between the two players has provided mutual support as both work toward their respective comebacks. Alcaraz's measured approach to his return reflects the delicate balance between regaining match fitness and avoiding re-injury.
How has Sinner dominated in Alcaraz's absence?
Jannik Sinner has established clear supremacy on the men's tour during his rival's injury layoff. The Italian has lost only three matches in 2026, with two of those defeats occurring in the first two months of the year. One loss came against an inspired performance by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals. Sinner swept the 'Sunshine Double'—the back-to-back tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami Open—without dropping a set, demonstrating exceptional consistency.
Sinner claimed his first Wimbledon title in July and has maintained his position as world number one. A shock French Open exit represents his only significant setback on clay, but he has otherwise dominated the tour. However, Sinner will enter the US Open with no match time on hard courts after withdrawing from Cincinnati with a knee injury, mirroring Alcaraz's fitness concerns heading into the final Grand Slam.
What is Alcaraz's ranking status?
Alcaraz has been replaced as world number two by Alexander Zverev, who won the French Open and finished runner-up at Wimbledon. The ranking change reflects Alcaraz's inability to defend his Cincinnati Open title while recovering from injury. Despite the drop in ranking, Alcaraz remains one of the tournament favourites at the US Open, where he has established himself as a formidable competitor.
The 23-year-old was only 19 when he won his first Grand Slam at the 2022 US Open, defeating Casper Ruud to become the youngest men's major champion in 17 years. He successfully defended the title last year, beating Sinner in four sets. A third US Open title would further cement his status as one of the sport's elite players despite the injury setback.
What are Alcaraz's options at the US Open?
Beyond competing in the singles draw, Alcaraz could also enter the mixed doubles competition that takes place the week before the main singles event begins. Three wildcards remain to be distributed for the mixed doubles tournament. Alcaraz participated in the revamped mixed doubles event last year alongside Britain's Emma Raducanu, who is unavailable this year due to injury.
The mixed doubles option would allow Alcaraz to gain additional match time on hard courts before the singles competition commences, potentially easing his transition back to competitive play. However, his primary focus will likely remain on the singles title defence, where he aims to become a three-time US Open champion.
When does the tournament begin?
The US Open singles event begins on Sunday, 30 August in New York, with the tournament running through 13 September. The mixed doubles competition will commence the week prior, allowing players to compete across multiple events. Alcaraz's return after 114 days away from competitive tennis will mark a significant moment in the 2026 season, with implications for both his own career trajectory and the broader competitive landscape at the year's final Grand Slam.
Seven-time major champion Alcaraz signalled his readiness by writing
here we go!on social media—adopting Romano's famous catchphrase—alongside an emoji of the American flag and a plane, confirming his intention to travel to New York for the tournament.
Key Facts
- Alcaraz has not played a competitive match since 14 April due to a right wrist injury sustained at the Barcelona Open
- He became the youngest man to win all four Grand Slam titles after his Australian Open victory in January 2026
- Sinner has dominated the men's tour in Alcaraz's absence, losing only three matches and claiming Wimbledon in July
- Alcaraz has dropped to world number two after being replaced by Alexander Zverev, who won the French Open
- The US Open singles main draw begins on 30 August, with mixed doubles competition starting the week before
