Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz is set to return to competitive action at the 2026 US Open after spending more than four months away from the sport because of a right wrist injury. The 23-year-old has confirmed that he will play in the tournament in New York, which begins on August 30 and runs until September 13.
Alcaraz has been one of the biggest names in men’s tennis in recent years. He is a seven-time Grand Slam champion and will enter the US Open as the defending champion. He won the tournament last year after defeating Jannik Sinner in the final.
His injury happened during the Barcelona Open in April. He has not played a competitive match since then and was forced to miss several major tournaments. These included the French Open and Wimbledon, along with hard-court events in Toronto and Cincinnati.
The long break was an important part of Alcaraz’s recovery. His team decided not to rush his return and instead focused on allowing his wrist to recover fully. He had originally hoped to return earlier, but he withdrew from the Cincinnati Open as he continued his recovery.
In recent weeks, Alcaraz has increased his training and has been preparing for his return. He was seen practising with Danish player Holger Rune in Murcia as he worked on getting back to match fitness.
The US Open will be an important test for the Spanish star. Returning directly to a Grand Slam after such a long injury break can be difficult because players need both physical fitness and match practice. Alcaraz will also have the added pressure of defending his title.
Despite the long absence, Alcaraz remains one of the leading players in the world. His return is expected to bring extra excitement to the tournament, especially with other top players also competing for the year’s final Grand Slam title.
Fans have been waiting for several months to see Alcaraz back on court. His return to New York will give him a chance to begin a new chapter after a difficult period and try to defend the US Open title he won last year.
The tournament will also show how well his wrist has recovered and whether he can quickly return to his best level. For Alcaraz, the main goal will be to stay healthy, regain his match rhythm and compete strongly throughout the tournament.