Carlos Alcaraz Set to Defend US Open Title After Wrist Injury

Carlos Alcaraz has signalled he is ready to return from a right wrist injury and defend his US Open title. The world No. 2 announced his intention to play through a social-media post on Thursday, writing, “Here we go,” alongside an image of himself in front of the US Open logo.

The return would bring Alcaraz back into competition after an absence that has lasted since April. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has been sidelined by the wrist problem, missing both the French Open and Wimbledon during a season that had begun with strong results.

Alcaraz is the reigning US Open champion after winning his second title at the event last year, when he beat Jannik Sinner in the final. His planned comeback adds a major storyline to the final Grand Slam tournament of the year, particularly after a prolonged spell away from match play.

Long layoff follows strong start to the season

Before the injury interrupted his campaign, Alcaraz had won the Australian Open and then captured his next tournament. Those results formed part of a 22-3 start to the season.

His year changed after the Barcelona Open. Alcaraz won his opening match at that tournament but then withdrew because of the right wrist injury. He has not played since, with the issue also forcing him to miss the clay-court major in Paris and Wimbledon.

Despite the lengthy absence, Alcaraz remains ranked No. 2. That position underlines the strength of his results before the injury, as well as the significance of his return at a tournament where he has already enjoyed major success.

Alcaraz first won the US Open in 2022. The victory made him, at 19, the youngest man to hold the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings. He returned to the top level of the event last year by claiming a second US Open crown against Sinner in the final.

There had been signs that Alcaraz could be nearing a comeback during the hard-court swing before the US Open. Photos and videos on social media showed him practising, prompting expectations that he might return ahead of the season’s last major.

However, he withdrew from the Cincinnati Open, which is ongoing. During a match on Wednesday night, commentators speculated about whether Alcaraz would attempt to return directly for a Grand Slam tournament without tournament preparation.

US Open gains added intrigue around Alcaraz and Sinner

Alcaraz’s expected return comes as Sinner has also been away from competition. The top-ranked player has not played since winning the Wimbledon title and pulled out of Cincinnati with a right knee injury, saying he would focus on being ready to play in New York.

The respective absences of Alcaraz and Sinner have added uncertainty to the lead-in to the US Open. Their potential availability is especially notable after they met in the final at both the French Open and Wimbledon in 2025, when they were also widely expected to meet again in New York.

For Alcaraz, the tournament represents an opportunity to resume his season at an event central to his career. He arrives as defending champion, with a second US Open title to protect and a return to make after months on the sidelines.

His post offered the clearest indication yet that the wrist injury has progressed sufficiently for a comeback. Attention now turns to how the No. 2-ranked Spaniard performs when he returns to Grand Slam competition after missing two of the year’s biggest events.