Carlos Alcaraz: A Surprise Announcement, and Jannik Sinner Waits
The long wait is over: Carlos Alcaraz is returning to the court. He’ll make his comeback at the U.S. Open, scheduled for August 25 through September 13 in New York. The star from Murcia, who has been absent from the major tennis tournaments since the ATP 500 event in Barcelona due to a wrist injury that has since forced him to miss Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and other events, has put to rest the massive doubts and concerns about his health by announcing his return. This could also have implications for his long-standing rivalry with Jannik Sinner.
Just a few words in a social media video message lasting only a few seconds were enough to dispel all doubts. “Estoy de vuelta! Here We Go,” the Spanish champion announces in the video, whose caption is even clearer: “Carlos Alcaraz will return to the ATP Tour at the U.S. Open after spending four months on the sidelines due to a right wrist injury. Ready to return.” And now tennis fans around the world are also awaiting news from Sinner, who is himself recovering from a right knee injury and has not yet officially confirmed his participation in New York.
Alcaraz’s announcement comes after weeks of great uncertainty. Just a few days ago, Spain’s Davis Cup captain David Ferrer had decided not to call him up for the series against Chile, scheduled for September 19 and 20, opting instead to rely on other players such as Rafael Jodar, Daniel Merida, Jaume Munar, Martin Landaluce, and Pedro Martinez. This decision had further fueled doubts about the Spaniard’s physical condition—he hasn’t played an official match since April 14 at the ATP 500 tournament in Barcelona—making his announcement on Thursday all the more surprising and eagerly anticipated.
Concerns about the Spaniard’s return were, in fact, widespread even among tennis insiders. Coach Patrick Mouratoglou had warned: “He’s gone such a long time without playing a match. After the first match, he’ll feel a lot of pain, and we don’t know how his body will react. Beyond the physical aspect, there’s also the competitive one: when you’re out of competition for a long time, it’s always difficult to come back.” Former tennis player Greg Rusedski went even further, stating that he didn’t believe Alcaraz would be in New York: “I’d be surprised if he played in the U.S. Open. He doesn’t want to take any risks. So I don’t think he’ll be able to play.” Alcaraz’s video message seems to have silenced all the skeptics.
As for Sinner, the situation remains up in the air. The world No. 1 hasn’t taken the court since the Wimbledon final and has already withdrawn from the Montreal and Cincinnati Masters 1000 tournaments due to inflammation in his right knee. His potential absence at Flushing Meadows would break a streak of 27 consecutive Grand Slam appearances, which began in 2019. During that time, the South Tyrolean has won five Grand Slam titles: the Australian Open in 2024 and 2025, Wimbledon in 2025 and 2026, and the U.S. Open in 2024. In New York, Sinner aims to become the first player to win the tournament without having competed in either Montreal or Cincinnati—a feat no one has ever achieved.
Dr. Giovanni Di Giacomo, an internationally renowned specialist and former team doctor for the BNL Italian Open and the ATP Finals, shed light on the Italian player’s condition: “Jannik is being treated by an exceptional team of doctors. If his colleagues deemed it necessary to reduce the strain on his knee, it means he has an overuse syndrome, which many other athletes have also experienced in the past. And rest—aside from shockwave therapy, physical therapy, and medication—is always the best treatment.” Di Giacomo had, however, expressed confidence that Sinner would compete in New York: “I assume they preferred not to risk Cincinnati so they could arrive in top condition in the U.S., where I’m fairly certain he’ll go.” Now that Alcaraz has made his decision, the pressure on Sinner to officially confirm his participation is bound to increase even further.
