Back From the Sidelines
Carlos Alcaraz is finally making his return to competitive tennis after a wrist injury suffered at the Barcelona Open wiped out the better part of his 2026 season. He missed Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and several major hard-court events before confirming his US Open entry on August 20. The layoff, which stretched beyond five months, is the longest he has ever spent away from the tour.
Before boarding a flight to New York, Alcaraz spent the week sharpening his game in Murcia at his own academy alongside Holger Rune, who is himself working back from an ACL injury suffered at the Stockholm Open last October. The pair played a full practice match on August 20, with Alcaraz coming through 7-6, 6-2. It was exactly the kind of high-intensity run-out he needed heading into the year's final Grand Slam.
A Loaded Return and High Stakes
Alcaraz is projected to enter the US Open draw as the second seed, behind Alexander Zverev, following Jannik Sinner's withdrawal due to a right knee injury. The stakes are enormous: Alcaraz is defending the full 2,000 points he earned by winning the title in 2025, meaning an early exit could trigger a significant rankings drop.
Beyond the singles, he is widely expected to team with Serena Williams in the mixed doubles during Opening Week, a high-profile pairing that will generate considerable buzz. After the US Open, his confirmed schedule runs through the Laver Cup in London, the Japan Open in Tokyo, the Shanghai Masters, the Paris Masters, and the ATP Finals, making for a breathless finish to the year.
TennisDraw users have circled Alcaraz as one of the most compelling bracket picks at Flushing Meadows this fortnight.
