Following a four-month absence due to a right wrist injury that forced him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/injured-alcaraz-pulls-out-of-wimbledon-23631297" rel="nofollow">defending champion Carlos Alcaraz</a> is set to return at the US Open. The 23-year-old Spaniard insists his signature aggressive playing style will remain the same.
"You're going to see Carlitos playing the way he always has," Alcaraz said.
"I need competition. We, my team and me, believe that I'm ready. It wasn't an easy decision. I just did whatever it took to be ready." Alcaraz said Friday.
Alcaraz enters the tournament as a top contender after capturing his seventh Grand Slam crown earlier this year at the Australian Open against Novak Djokovic. <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/wimbledon-2026-sinner-is-a-winner-again-after-french-open-disappointment-23639511" rel="nofollow">World No. 1 Jannik Sinner</a> withdrew due to a right knee injury, leaving Alexander Zverev as the top seed.
"We are not going see each other for, like, six months now, seven months," Alcaraz said. "It's kind of a weird situation, to be honest."
<h2>Alcaraz on mounting an injury comeback</h2>
Alcaraz will open his campaign against Roman Safiullin without playing a singles tune-up event. While he warmed up with mixed <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/us-open-2026-serena-williams-and-carlos-alcaraz-to-headline-mixed-doubles-23646608" rel="nofollow">doubles alongside Serena Williams</a>, he acknowledges the difficulty of returning directly at a Grand Slam.
"It's really challenging," Alcaraz said. "Probably in terms of preparation and everything, (it) is not the best time."
"There is no better tournament than the U.S. Open to be back."
Aiming to replicate past long-layoff wins by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz is keeping his focus entirely on his health.
"I'm not going to set a limit for myself. I don't want to focus on a specific result. I want to focus on the process we've gone through. Just go out there, enjoy it and feel good."Alcaraz said.
Top-seeded Zverev expects Alcaraz to build momentum rapidly and challenge for the title.
"Wrist is never easy. I expect him to be maybe a bit rusty the first or second match, but once he gets through that, I think he's going to be a contender, for sure, here." Zverev said.
For Alcaraz, overcoming mental hesitation remains his primary target.
"I just have to go 100%," Alcaraz said. "I've got to trust my team. I've got to trust the people that tell me that it's going to be fine." he said.

Carlos Alcaraz returns to action at the US Open after a four-month layoff due to a wrist injury, declaring he is physically ready for a strong title defence


Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz returns at US Open following wrist injury

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Sports / Other Sports / Article / Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz returns at US Open following wrist injury

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz returns at US Open following wrist injury

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast