Alcaraz Set to Return at US Open After Four Months Out

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is set to make his return at the US Open after missing four months with a wrist injury. The 23-year-old has not played a competitive match since 14 April after injuring his right wrist at the Barcelona Open.

## Background Alcaraz triumphed at the Australian Open in January to become the youngest man to win all four Grand Slam titles. He made a strong start to the year, beating Novak Djokovic in four sets to become the ninth man in the Open era to complete the career Grand Slam.

The news of his return was confirmed by football influencer Fabrizio Romano in a joint post with Alcaraz on Instagram. Alcaraz also wrote "here we go!" - Romano's catchphrase - in a post on X, external with an emoji of the American flag and a plane.

## Current Form Alcaraz has been replaced as world number two by Alexander Zverev after being unable to defend his Cincinnati Open title. Rival Jannik Sinner is well clear at the top of the world rankings, having won Wimbledon in July, while Zverev won the French Open and finished runner-up at SW19.

Sinner will go into the US Open with no match time on a hard court after withdrawing from Cincinnati with a knee injury. His fitness will be his main concern before the final Grand Slam of the season begins at Flushing Meadows.

## US Open Preview The US Open singles event begins on Sunday, 30 August in New York. Alcaraz could also enter the mixed doubles competition that takes place the week before the US Open, with three wildcards still to be handed out. He played in the revamped event last year alongside Britain's Emma Raducanu, who is out of this year's tournament with injury.

The current world rankings are as follows: | Player | Ranking | | --- | --- | | Jannik Sinner | 1 | | Alexander Zverev | 2 | | Carlos Alcaraz | 3 |

Alcaraz was only 19 when he won his first Grand Slam at the 2022 US Open, beating Casper Ruud to become the youngest men's major champion in 17 years. He repeated the feat last year, beating Sinner in four sets.

Wrist injuries are notoriously problematic for tennis players, especially if not managed correctly, and Alcaraz said in April he did not want to do further harm for "future tournaments". 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 was also plagued by a wrist problem after winning his sole major at the 2009 US Open.

Alcaraz made a cautious return to training in July and has been practising with Holger Rune in recent weeks. Denmark's Rune, a good friend of Alcaraz, is returning to training after he ruptured his Achilles in October last year.

The US Open will be a crucial test for Alcaraz as he looks to regain his form and ranking. With his return to competitive tennis, the stage is set for an exciting tournament in New York.