Alcaraz details mental strain of wrist layoff before US Open return

Carlos Alcaraz has described the mental strain of an uncertain recovery as he prepares to play his first singles match in more than four months at the US Open. BBC Sport reported that the seven-time major champion experienced intrusive thoughts while waiting to learn when his injured right wrist would allow him to compete again.

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The 23-year-old Spaniard has not played a singles match since April, when he injured the wrist at the Barcelona Open. The layoff forced him to miss the French Open and Wimbledon, while he also withdrew from events in Canada and Cincinnati. The ATP said New York will mark the end of the longest period away from competition in Alcaraz's career.

Alcaraz said at his pre-tournament news conference that the early part of the recovery was especially difficult because he could not use his right arm. As he gradually resumed training, uncertainty over whether he would be ready for Cincinnati, the US Open or any part of the North American hard-court swing became the toughest issue to manage. He also said time at home with family and friends helped during the layoff.

The defending champion has already tested the wrist in competition at Flushing Meadows, partnering Serena Williams in mixed doubles earlier this week. The pair were beaten by Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli, but the appearance was Alcaraz's first competitive tennis since Barcelona. His return to men's singles is scheduled against Roman Safiullin in the opening round.

Alcaraz enters the tournament with limited recent match preparation but a strong record from the first part of 2026. According to the official US Open website, he went 22-3 before the injury and won the Australian Open and Doha titles. His Australian Open victory completed a career Grand Slam at age 22, making him the youngest man to win all four major singles championships.

The official tournament site reported that Alcaraz believes he is ready to compete, although he has placed emphasis on leaving New York healthy rather than setting a specific result as his minimum target. He is attempting to defend the US Open title he won in 2025, with the condition of his wrist and the demands of best-of-five-set tennis central to his comeback.