Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open because of an ongoing wrist injury, raising fresh doubts about the Spaniard’s fitness ahead of his US Open title defence this month. The World No 2 has been sidelined since April and had been due to return at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, which he won last year.
Alcaraz has not played since withdrawing from the Barcelona Open second round in April, and his recovery has already forced him to miss major events. He was unable to defend his French Open title and missed Wimbledon, although the 23-year-old had indicated a comeback was approaching after posting videos of training sessions in recent weeks.
“We know Carlos is doing everything he can to get back to playing tournaments as soon as possible,”Cincinnati tournament director Bob Moran said.
How does this affect his preparation for the US Open?
The Winston-Salem Open, which begins on 23 August, would be the last chance for Alcaraz to get some matches under his belt before the US Open, but the world No 2 has not yet said whether he plans to play the ATP 250 event. The US Open gets underway on 30 August.
Alcaraz won last year’s Cincinnati title after World No 1 Jannik Sinner retired from the final, then carried that momentum to Flushing Meadows and won his second US Open crown after his triumph in 2022.
He started the season by winning the Australian Open to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam. In his absence, Sinner successfully defended his Wimbledon title and increased his major tally to five.
What comes next for Alcaraz?
Alcaraz’s next steps remain uncertain, with his return to competition depending on how quickly he recovers from the wrist injury. His decision on Winston-Salem will determine whether he gets any match practice before defending his US Open title later this month.
Key Facts
- Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Cincinnati Open because of an ongoing wrist injury.
- He has been sidelined since withdrawing from the Barcelona Open second round in April.
- The Winston-Salem Open begins on 23 August and the US Open starts on 30 August.
- Alcaraz won Cincinnati last year and later captured the US Open title for a second time.
- Jannik Sinner retired from last year’s Cincinnati final and defended his Wimbledon title in Alcaraz’s absence.
