A Long-Awaited Return
Carlos Alcaraz is heading back to Flushing Meadows to defend his US Open title, ending an extended absence caused by a wrist injury that has kept him off the tour since April. The Spaniard made the announcement in an unusual fashion, teaming up with football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano to break the news via social media. It was a creative choice that caught the tennis world by surprise and generated significant buzz well beyond the usual tennis audience.
Alcaraz's return could not come at a bigger moment. The 2026 US Open, which marks the 146th edition of the historic tournament, begins its main draw singles action on August 30 and runs through September 13. Having missed several months of competition, Alcaraz arrives with plenty of uncertainty around his form and match sharpness, but his presence alone transforms the men's draw.
A Draw Full of Drama
Alcaraz is not the only top player dealing with fitness concerns heading into New York. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner skipped the Cincinnati tournament with a knee issue, while Jack Draper has been managing bone bruising in his left arm for over a year. The overall withdrawal list across both the men's and women's draws has already reached 11 players, with notable absentees including Emma Raducanu, sidelined by a grade four stress fracture in her right shin.
The combination of Alcaraz's comeback and so many question marks elsewhere makes this year's draw particularly hard to predict. Reigning women's champion Aryna Sabalenka is also expected to return. TennisDraw users will want to revisit their bracket picks carefully given how many top contenders are entering the tournament with their fitness still unproven.
