A Long Road Back to Flushing Meadows
Carlos Alcaraz is preparing to return to competitive tennis after a four-month absence caused by a right wrist injury, with his comeback set to begin in the mixed doubles at the US Open alongside Serena Williams. The men's singles draw at Flushing Meadows starts Sunday, August 30, and despite Alcaraz being listed as a betting favorite, not everyone is convinced that title glory is a realistic short-term target.
Boris Becker, the six-time Grand Slam winner, addressed the situation candidly on his podcast alongside former WTA player Andrea Petkovic. He argued that bookmakers placing Alcaraz at the top of the odds was surprising given the circumstances, noting that a four-month layoff is a considerable stretch of time for any player to overcome.
Becker Sets a Realistic Benchmark
The German tennis legend made clear that simply making it to the second week would represent a meaningful milestone. Reaching that stage would mean Alcaraz had completed three best-of-five-set matches, while also proving his wrist could hold up against the physical demands of hard-court tennis in the New York summer heat.
Becker acknowledged the difficult spot Alcaraz finds himself in, saying there is really no softer re-entry point when you need to compete at Grand Slam level. He referenced an old principle suggesting a player needs roughly half the length of their injury break to fully rediscover their best form, which would push that timeline well past the tournament itself.
Alcaraz arrives as the reigning US Open champion and won the 2026 Australian Open earlier this year, so the talent and pedigree are not in question. TennisDraw users have still been backing Alcaraz heavily in their bracket predictions, reflecting just how much excitement surrounds his return.
