Alcaraz recounts painful wrist layoff after US Open comeback

Carlos Alcaraz has described the satisfaction of returning to Grand Slam competition after a wrist injury left him in daily pain and kept him away from tournaments for more than five months. Speaking to BBC Sport, the Spaniard said his US Open quarter-final appearance was a welcome opportunity despite the defeat that ended his title defence.

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Alcaraz missed both the French Open, where he had been defending champion, and Wimbledon during his absence. His participation in New York remained uncertain until a week before the tournament. The US Open was his first event back, making the run to the last eight his return to competition after the prolonged layoff, according to the BBC's report.

Ben Shelton eventually beat him in five sets after four hours and 28 minutes, with the match ending at 3.34am. Alcaraz was filmed smiling as he walked through the Arthur Ashe Stadium tunnel afterwards. He explained that, although the contest had been difficult, he had enjoyed experiencing the intensity of a match again after missing that feeling while sidelined.

The late finish was less welcome. Alcaraz said he wanted changes to the schedule and suggested an 11pm finishing limit as one possible approach. His quarter-final was the latest finish in US Open history, the BBC reported. Eventual champion Alexander Zverev also completed three of his first five matches after 1am, while Venus Williams' opening-round match ended at 2am.

Alcaraz had already said during the US Open that he would skip some future tournaments to protect his physical and mental health. Injuries have also interrupted the season for Jannik Sinner, who missed the New York tournament with a knee problem. The two have faced each other only once this year, with Sinner winning their Monte Carlo Masters final and becoming world number one.

The 23-year-old said he missed competing against Sinner and credited the Italian with driving his own improvement. Their rivalry produced eight Grand Slam titles between them across 2024 and 2025. Alcaraz is due to play for Team Europe at the Laver Cup in London from September 25 to 27, continuing his return after the US Open.