Carlos Alcaraz announces return to tennis at the US Open after wrist injury

Carlos Alcaraz is back. The Spanish tennis star confirmed Thursday that he will return to competition at the US Open, ending a 138-day absence caused by a wrist injury that forced him to miss two Grand Slam tournaments. Alcaraz made the announcement on social media with the phrase «Here we go», a signature line popularized by transfer news journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The world No. 3 has not played a competitive match since April 14, when he lost in the first round of the Trofeo Conde de Godó in Barcelona against Otto Virtanen. That match was his last before the injury to his right wrist, which sidelined him from the Mutua Madrid Open, the Italian Open in Rome, Roland Garros, Queen's Club, Wimbledon, Montreal, and Cincinnati.

Alcaraz's initial goal was to return this week at the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, but he chose to extend his preparation in Spain and wait for the final Grand Slam of the season on the hard courts of New York. According to reports from Spanish media, the 23-year-old has been training with a compression sleeve on his right arm, a precaution he also used during the 2024 clay-court season after an injury in Monte Carlo. That year, he went on to win Roland Garros for the first time.

This week, Alcaraz has been practicing in the United States, including a four-hour practice session with Holger Rune. The decision to return was finalized Thursday, with Alcaraz and his team agreeing that his wrist has healed enough to compete at the highest level. He is scheduled to travel to New York early next week and will train there with potential opponents before the tournament begins.

The US Open holds special meaning for Alcaraz. Last year, he defeated Jannik Sinner in the final to claim the title. A successful title defense this year would add 2,000 points to his ATP ranking, helping him recover some of the 6,130 points he lost during his time off the tour. Alcaraz's ranking has slipped during his absence, and a strong run in New York would be crucial for his positioning in the season's final months.

There remains uncertainty about whether Sinner, his main rival, will be fit to play. The Italian has been dealing with persistent knee problems and has not confirmed his participation. The two players have developed one of the most compelling rivalries in men's tennis, and a potential meeting in New York would be a marquee matchup.

Alcaraz's return comes at a critical point in the season. If he completes the US Open without physical issues, his schedule for the remainder of the year includes the Laver Cup, the ATP tournaments in Tokyo and Shanghai, the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia, the Paris Masters, and the ATP Finals in Turin. He could also return to the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna if Spain first defeats Chile in their qualifying tie.

The announcement was met with enthusiasm from fans and analysts, who have watched the Spaniard's recovery closely. Alcaraz's absence from Roland Garros and Wimbledon marked the first time since 2021 that he missed back-to-back Grand Slam events. His return restores a major storyline to the US Open draw, which will now feature a defending champion eager to prove he is fully recovered.

Alcaraz's decision to skip Cincinnati was seen as a cautious approach, prioritizing his long-term fitness over a quick return. The extra weeks of training appear to have paid off, with the player expressing confidence in his physical condition. His team has emphasized that the wrist is fully healed and that he has been hitting without pain for several days.

The US Open begins on August 24 at Flushing Meadows in New York. Alcaraz will enter the tournament as the defending champion and one of the favorites, despite his limited match play this season. His path to a second consecutive title will be closely watched, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding Sinner's fitness and the depth of the current men's field.

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