Alcaraz Set for US Open Return, Defending Champion Eyes Title Defense After Injury Layoff
New York, NY – Reigning US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz is poised to make his highly anticipated comeback from a wrist injury at this year’s Grand Slam tournament at Flushing Meadows. The seven-time Grand Slam winner has been sidelined from ATP Tour action since April, having been forced to withdraw from the Barcelona Open due to the persistent wrist issue. This absence meant the young phenom missed his chance to defend his French Open title and compete at Wimbledon.
Alcaraz’s return was initially slated for the Cincinnati Open earlier this month, but he ultimately withdrew from that event as well. Instead, the Spaniard opted for a unique announcement method, enlisting the help of renowned football transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano to confirm his participation at the US Open.
Both Alcaraz and Romano shared the news on Instagram, with Alcaraz further amplifying the announcement on X (formerly Twitter) by posting Romano’s signature "here we go!" catchphrase alongside the United States flag. Romano, in his Instagram post, confirmed, "Here we go! Carlos Alcaraz will return to the tour at the US Open after spending four months sidelined with a right wrist injury. Ready to come back."
Despite his extended break from competitive play, Alcaraz remains a formidable presence in the tennis world, holding the World No. 2 ranking. His last significant outing saw him triumph over Jannik Sinner in a thrilling final at last year’s US Open, a victory that propelled him to World No. 1. He also began the current season with an Australian Open title. Prior to his injury, Alcaraz secured the ATP 500 Qatar Open and reached the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters, showcasing his continued dominance.
The 23-year-old Spaniard will now be aiming for his third US Open crown. The tournament, which kicks off on August 30th, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Alcaraz first lifted the prestigious Grand Slam trophy in 2022, marking his maiden major title and his ascent to the top of the rankings, before successfully defending it last September.
The absence of both Alcaraz and his US Open final opponent, Jannik Sinner, from the Canadian and Cincinnati Opens presents an interesting statistical anomaly. Since the inception of the Masters format in 1990, no male player has won the US Open without participating in at least one of these two key hardcourt lead-up events.
In other news surrounding the tournament, the US Open has announced a substantial increase in its prize money, setting a new record with an overall purse of $108 million (approximately £80 million). This represents a significant 20% rise for the second consecutive year, underscoring the tournament’s commitment to its players.
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours live on Sky Sports. The US Open is also live on Sky Sports from August 30. Stream tennis with NOW.
