Carlos Alcaraz is set to step back onto the court at Flushing Meadows after a four‑month hiatus caused by a right‑wrist injury, aiming to defend the US Open title he captured in 2022. The 23‑year‑old Spanish star, who has already amassed seven Grand Slam crowns, has been absent from the ATP Tour since withdrawing from the Barcelona Open in April due to the same wrist problem. That withdrawal forced him to miss the chance to defend his French Open crown and also kept him out of Wimbledon, leaving a noticeable gap in his otherwise relentless schedule. Initially, Alcaraz had planned to make his comeback at the Cincinnati Masters later this month, but another setback forced him to pull out of that tournament as well.
In a surprising twist, he turned to renowned football transfer guru Fabrizio Romano to help publicise his return. Both athletes used their Instagram accounts to break the news, and Alcaraz amplified the announcement on X (formerly Twitter) by pairing Romano’s signature "here we go" catchphrase with a waving United States flag, signalling his readiness to compete on American soil. Romano’s Instagram post read: "Here we go!
Carlos Alcaraz will return to the tour at the US Open after spending four months sidelined with a right wrist injury. Ready to come back." The brief yet enthusiastic message captured the excitement of fans worldwide, who have been eagerly awaiting any sign that the Spaniard would re‑enter the competitive arena. Despite the lengthy lay‑off, Alcaraz remains perched at world No.
2 in the ATP rankings. His position is a testament to the points he amassed before his injury, including a hard‑court triumph at the Australian Open earlier this season, a victory over Jannik Sinner in the 2022 US Open final, a win at the ATP 500 Qatar Open, and a runner‑up finish at the Monte‑Carlo Masters. Those achievements have ensured that his ranking did not tumble dramatically, and they also provide a solid foundation for his US Open campaign. The upcoming tournament will see Alcaraz chase a third US Open crown.
He first lifted the trophy in 2022, a victory that propelled him to the world No. 1 spot for the first time in his career.
He followed that with a second US Open title in September of the previous year, confirming his status as one of the sport’s dominant forces. If he can replicate that success this August, it will further cement his legacy and potentially set the stage for a sustained period at the top of the men’s game. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports beginning August 30, with streaming options available through NOW and the Sky Sports app for on‑the‑go access to matches, highlights, and analysis.
The network also offers a suite of tennis‑focused video content, including best‑shot compilations and post‑match interviews, ensuring that viewers stay engaged throughout the fortnight‑long event. Alcaraz’s return is also noteworthy because it breaks a recent pattern observed among top players. Both he and Sinner missed the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open this year. Historically, no male player since the Masters series was introduced in 1990 has claimed the US Open title without having played at least one of those two lead‑up events.
This adds an extra layer of intrigue to Alcaraz’s campaign, as he will be attempting to defy a long‑standing statistical trend. Off the court, the US Open has announced a record‑breaking prize‑money pool of $108 million (about £80 million), marking the second consecutive year of a 20 percent increase. The surge reflects the tournament’s growing commercial appeal and its status as the sport’s premier hard‑court showcase.
The expanded purse not only benefits the champions but also offers deeper financial rewards for players who progress through the early rounds, providing additional motivation for competitors at every level. In summary, Carlos Alcaraz’s imminent US Open debut represents a significant moment for both the player and the tournament. After a protracted recovery period, he is poised to test his wrist, regain match fitness, and pursue another Grand Slam trophy. With Fabrizio Romano’s help in delivering the news, the tennis world has been given a clear signal that the Spaniard is ready to compete at the highest level once more.
As the first matches approach, anticipation builds among supporters, analysts, and fellow players alike, all eager to see whether Alcaraz can translate his pre‑injury form into another historic victory at Flushing Meadows.