Carlos Alcaraz began 2026 at the very summit of tennis. In January, the 22-year-old completed the career Grand Slam by defeating Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final, claiming his seventh major title and adding to a dominant US Open victory over Jannik Sinner just months earlier. Yet the sport's brightest star has since fallen silent, sidelined by a wrist injury that has now kept him off tour for over 114 days.
The culprit is tenosynovitis, a painful inflammation of the fluid-filled sheath surrounding the wrist tendon, typically triggered by the repetitive gripping and swinging motions central to tennis. Alcaraz sustained the injury at the Barcelona Open in April, missing both Roland Garros and Wimbledon as a result. He has not required surgery, but his recent withdrawal from the Cincinnati Open has intensified fears that his US Open title defense may be impossible.
Former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski has been blunt in his assessment. Speaking on his podcast, Rusedski said fans should essentially rule out seeing Alcaraz in New York, arguing that if this were a minor issue he would already be back competing. Rusedski pointed to Jack Draper's prolonged shoulder struggles as a cautionary tale, urging Alcaraz to prioritize long-term health over a rushed return, even if it means sitting out the rest of 2026.
Andy Murray, who battled wrist injuries late in his own career, has previously noted how mentally difficult wrist recoveries can be, describing the lingering pain and psychological hurdle players face when returning to match play.
Physiotherapist James Ross added further concern, noting that a prior wrist injury significantly raises the risk of recurrence, particularly under the intense pressures of professional tennis.
TennisDraw users who locked in Alcaraz as a top US Open bracket pick are now sweating over whether their prediction will even get off the ground.
