Jannik Sinner and his draw at the US Open: Carlos Alcaraz doesn’t beat around the bush

Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal from the U.S. Open continues to spark debate, and in this regard, Carlos Alcaraz’s press conference was highly anticipated, as he was expected to address the absence of his main rival in the very tournament where the Murcia native is returning to the court after a long hiatus due to a wrist injury. Speaking to reporters, Alcaraz made no secret of his surprise at the world No. 1’s absence and acknowledged that the South Tyrolean’s withdrawal from the Flushing Meadows tournament will have a significant impact on the event.

The current No. 3 in the ATP rankings set aside any platitudes: “I think we all feel the same way: it’s strange that someone like Jannik isn’t here at a major tournament like this. We haven’t seen each other in months; I wish him all the best.” The Murcian’s words accurately capture the sentiment on the tour: Sinner’s absence weighs heavily—and not just on the draw.

Alcaraz then explained how challenging it is to return to New York after such a long time away from the courts: “Coming back here and playing best-of-five sets after such a long time will be really challenging. My team and I, however, believe this is the right moment.” Alcaraz also said he pushed himself to the limit during his preparation, with intense training sessions to test his wrist’s endurance: “I did everything perfectly, on and off the court, just to see how my wrist would react. It wasn’t an easy decision.”

Yet, for him, there was no better place to make his comeback: “The U.S. Open is the best opportunity to come back and feel the fans’ affection again.” A statement that almost sounds like a manifesto: Alcaraz is ready to reclaim the spotlight, just as Sinner is forced to take a break.