Carlos Alcaraz is back. The Spanish tennis star confirmed through his social media channels that he will return to competition at the US Open, ending a 138-day absence caused by a serious wrist injury. The announcement, made on Thursday, puts an end to weeks of speculation about when the former world number one would step back on court.
Alcaraz has not played since April 14, when he lost in the first round of the Trofeo Conde de Godó in Barcelona against Otto Virtanen. That match turned out to be his last before the injury forced him to withdraw from a string of major tournaments, including the Mutua Madrid Open, the Italian Open in Rome, Roland Garros, Queen's, Wimbledon, Montreal and Cincinnati.
The 23-year-old announced his comeback in an unconventional way, borrowing the famous catchphrase of football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano: «Here we go». The post quickly went viral, with fans and fellow players reacting to the news that one of the sport's biggest draws is ready to compete again.
According to reports, Alcaraz had initially targeted this week's Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati for his return. However, he chose to extend his training time in Spain and prepare more thoroughly for the final Grand Slam of the season, which is played on the hard courts of New York. His team reportedly felt that returning at the US Open, where he is the defending champion, would give him the best chance to compete at the highest level.
Alcaraz has been practicing in the United States this week, including a four-hour training session with Holger Rune. Those sessions, along with the progress of his recovery, convinced him and his coaching staff that he was ready to return to official competition. He is expected to travel to New York early next week to continue his preparation against potential rivals at the tournament.
The wrist injury has been a recurring concern for Alcaraz. He previously used a compression sleeve on his right arm during the 2024 clay-court season after injuring himself in Monte Carlo. That year, he went on to win Roland Garros for the first time. The decision to use a similar protective measure this time suggests he is taking a cautious approach to avoid aggravating the injury.
Alcaraz's return comes with significant ranking implications. He has dropped 6,130 points in the ATP rankings during his time off the tour. A successful title defense at the US Open would add 2,000 points and begin to close that gap. The Spaniard is currently outside the top ten, a position he has not been in since his breakthrough in 2022.
There is also uncertainty surrounding his biggest rival. Jannik Sinner, who defeated Alcaraz in last year's US Open final, has been dealing with knee problems of his own. Whether Sinner will be fit enough to compete in New York remains unclear, which could have a significant impact on the draw.
If Alcaraz completes the US Open without physical issues, he faces a busy end to the season. His schedule includes the Laver Cup, tournaments in Tokyo and Shanghai, the Six Kings Slam, Paris and the ATP Finals in Turin. He could also return to the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna if Spain first gets past Chile.
The announcement has generated considerable excitement among tennis fans, who have missed one of the sport's most charismatic and dynamic players. Alcaraz's aggressive style and his willingness to engage with fans have made him one of the most popular figures in the game, and his return is expected to boost interest in the final Grand Slam of the year.
For now, the focus is on his preparation and whether he can recapture the form that saw him lift the trophy in New York last year. The US Open begins later this month, and all eyes will be on Alcaraz as he attempts to defend his title and prove that he has fully recovered from the injury that sidelined him for nearly five months.