Defending Champion Carlos Alcaraz Confirms US Open Return After Four-Month Injury Layoff
NEW YORK — Reigning men’s singles champion Carlos Alcaraz confirmed Thursday that he will compete at the 2026 US Open, ending a four-month absence caused by a right wrist injury.
The 23-year-old Spaniard announced his return using soccer transfer insider Fabrizio Romano’s signature phrase. Alcaraz appeared alongside Romano in an Instagram collaboration video, declaring, “Estoy de vuelta [I’m back]. Here we go!” He followed up on X with a brief post reading “HERE WE GO!” accompanied by an American flag emoji.
Alcaraz has not played a match since April 14 at the Barcelona Open, where he defeated Otto Virtanen in the first round before withdrawing due to wrist discomfort.
Chasing Back-to-Back Titles in Flushing Meadows
Alcaraz will return to New York as the defending champion after defeating Jannik Sinner in a thriller during the 2025 US Open final—a win that temporarily elevated him to world No. 1. Sinner reclaimed the top ranking in April after defeating Alcaraz in the title match of the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters.
Before his injury, Alcaraz was putting together a dominant 2026 campaign:
- Season Record: 22-3 across six tournaments.
- Titles: Captured trophies at both the Australian Open and Doha.
- Historic Milestone: At 22, his Australian Open victory made him the youngest player in history to complete a career Grand Slam.
Now a seven-time major champion, Alcaraz enters Flushing Meadows for his seventh tournament of the year, aiming to claim his third overall US Open title without the benefit of warm-up events.
