Updated
Carlitos back on tour after four-month wrist recovery, Sinner still out with knee problems
Carlos Alcaraz will be participating in the 2026 US Open, ending months of uncertainty about his comeback timeline following a right wrist injury suffered in April. The announcement, made Thursday through a social media video, signals the 23-year-old is ready to defend the title he won last year.
Alcaraz’s last competitive action came in Barcelona this April, when he injured his wrist during his opening match against Otto Virtanen. Four months of rehabilitation follow. The US Open will mark his official return to tournament play.
“Estoy de vuelta (I am back). Here we go,” Alcaraz said in the announcement video.
Alcaraz arrives at Flushing Meadows as the defending champion after defeating Jannik Sinner in last year’s final. He enters with a 24-3 career record at the US Open and holds seven Grand Slam titles, including his historic Australian Open victory in January 2026 – the breakthrough moment that made him the youngest player ever to complete the Career Grand Slam.
His 2026 season record stands at 22-3 prior to his return.
Finally! ? https://t.co/YnZ8dfVeTc
— Tennisnerd (@Tennisnerdnet) August 21, 2026
The Comeback Question
The length of Alcaraz’s absence raises legitimate questions about match fitness and wrist conditioning. While four months represents a relatively modest layoff in professional tennis terms, wrist injuries carry specific risks for players relying on powerful, precise groundstrokes. This is one of those injury types that can ruin careers if not taken care of properly.
Whether he enters the tournament at full competitive sharpness remains an open question. Top players returning from injury sometimes show uneven early form before fully regaining their baseline rhythm.
No Sinner at US Open
Will we see the rivalry with Sinner back on? Unfortunately not. The Italian missed the Cincinnati event due to knee problems and he has now confirmed his withdrawal from the US Open that starts next week. This is a major blow not only for Jannik but for the tour in general, not seeing the top ranked players in action for big parts of the season.
Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year. We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realised that I… pic.twitter.com/9eoYS29jpO
— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) August 21, 2026
However, we’re glad to see Carlitos back in action at the major events!
