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Carlos Alcaraz announces return to competition at the US Open
Carlos Alcaraz will return to professional tennis at the US Open after a wrist injury sidelined him for 138 days. The Spanish player announced his comeback on social media, confirming he will try to defend his title in New York.
Carlos Alcaraz is back. The Spanish tennis player confirmed on Thursday that he will return to competition at the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season, after recovering from a wrist injury that kept him off the courts for more than four months. The announcement came through his social media channels, where he used the phrase «Here we go», popularized by football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, to signal his return.
Alcaraz 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 turned out to be his last before a serious wrist injury forced him to withdraw from the Mutua Madrid Open, the Italian Open in Rome, Roland Garros, Queen's Club, Wimbledon, the Canadian Open in Montreal, and the Cincinnati Masters. In total, the 23-year-old from Murcia has been sidelined for 138 days.
The world number three had initially targeted the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, which is being played this week, for his return. However, he chose to extend his preparation in Spain and wait for the US Open, where he will attempt to defend the title he won last year by beating Jannik Sinner in the final. According to reports from Spanish media, Alcaraz has been training with a compression sleeve on his right arm to protect his wrist, 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.
During the past week, Alcaraz has focused on match simulations in the United States, including a four-hour practice session with Danish player Holger Rune. The decision to return in New York was finalized on Thursday, after the player and his team concluded that his wrist had healed sufficiently to compete at the highest level. Alcaraz is expected to travel to New York early next week, where he will train with potential rivals ahead of the tournament's start.
The US Open represents a significant opportunity for Alcaraz to begin recovering ground in the ATP rankings. A successful title defense would earn him 2,000 points, which would start to offset the 6,130 points he has lost during his time away from the tour. The Spaniard's absence from the circuit has seen him drop from the top of the rankings, and a strong performance in Flushing Meadows would be crucial for his bid to climb back toward the number one spot.
There remains uncertainty about whether Alcaraz will face his biggest rival in New York. Jannik Sinner, the world number one, has been dealing with persistent knee problems and his participation in the tournament is still in doubt. The Italian has not confirmed his status for the final Grand Slam of the year, which could significantly alter the draw and Alcaraz's path to a second consecutive title.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz faces a demanding schedule for the remainder of the season. If he completes the US Open without physical issues, he is set to compete at the Laver Cup, the ATP events 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 overcomes Chile in their qualifying tie. The coming months will test both his fitness and his ability to manage a packed calendar after such a long layoff.
For now, the focus is on New York. Alcaraz's return adds significant star power to the US Open draw, and his presence will be one of the main storylines as the tournament approaches. The Spanish player has made clear his intention to compete at the highest level, and his announcement has already generated excitement among fans and analysts alike.
