08/20/26 02:00:00
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08/20 13:58 CDT Carlos Alcaraz is set to return from a wrist injury and defend
his US Open title
Carlos Alcaraz is set to return from a wrist injury and defend his US Open title
By BRIAN MAHONEY
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --- Carlos Alcaraz is ready to return from injury to defend his
U.S. Open title.
"Here we go," Alcaraz posted on his social media pages Thursday, with one
picture showing him in front of the U.S. Open logo.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion has been sidelined since April because of a
right wrist injury, forcing him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon.
Alcaraz won his second U.S. Open title last year, beating Jannik Sinner in the
final. He then won the Australian Open and his next tournament, part of his
22-3 start to this season.
But after winning his first match in the Barcelona Open, Alcaraz withdrew from
the tournament because of the injury. He is still ranked No. 2 despite his
absence.
Photos and videos on social media had shown Alcaraz on the practice court, so
it appeared he was on the verge of returning during the hard-court swing
preceding the U.S. Open before he withdrew from the Cincinnati Open. That
tournament is ongoing, and during a match Wednesday night commentators
speculated whether Alcaraz would attempt to come back to play a Grand Slam
tournament without preparation.
The top-ranked Sinner has also been out of action, not playing since winning
the Wimbledon title. He pulled out of the Cincinnati tournament with a right
knee injury, saying he would focus on being ready to play in New York.
Their injuries should create more intrigue for the last Grand Slam tournament
of the year than there was in 2025, when they had met in the final at both the
French Open and Wimbledon, and were widely expected to do so again in New York.
Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam title in the 2022 U.S. Open, a victory that at
19 made him the youngest man to hold the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings.
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