Carlos Alcaraz has announced that he feels "great" as he gears up to defend his US Open crown, marking his first major tournament back after a right‑wrist injury that forced him out of competition in April. The 23‑year‑old Spaniard, already a seven‑time Grand Slam champion, has a long history of delivering his finest tennis on the sport's biggest stages, and despite the uncertainty that a comeback always brings, his reputation ensures that he cannot be written off. Alcaraz will open his title defense against Russia's Roman Safiullin, following a brief mixed‑doubles warm‑up with Serena Williams. "I'm feeling very good, and I think that injury helped me a lot to understand that right now, everything is in my head.
I have to trust my team, trust the people who tell me that everything is going to be fine," the young champion explained. He added that he is focusing on giving his maximum effort: "So I just have to go 100 per cent. Right now, with the training I've done so far, everything has gone well.
I'm trying to get away from that fear and play normally." There were early concerns that Alcaraz might need to alter his technique to avoid a recurrence of the wrist problem. A comparable case is Britain's Jack Draper, who tried to modify his serve in an attempt to protect his shoulder but has remained sidelined. Alcaraz, however, insists that he has made no technical changes. "I haven't changed anything.
I've been doing the same things. I haven't changed anything technically, in terms of my movements or the way I'm going to play," he said.
"I just wanted to feel that I was going to be myself." The Spaniard acknowledges that returning at a Grand Slam, especially a best‑of‑five‑sets event like the US Open, presents a formidable challenge after a long layoff. "I knew that coming here to the US Open, being a best‑of‑five‑set tournament and being my first tournament after such a long time, was going to be a huge challenge. Probably, in terms of preparation, it wasn't the ideal time. But my team and I believe that I'm ready.
It wasn't an easy decision. I did everything I needed to do to be ready. I tried to do everything perfectly, both on and off the court, to feel prepared," Alcaraz explained.
He emphasized that his preparation has shown positive signs: "We saw that everything was fine, that everything was responding properly, and we believed it was the right time to come back." The confidence in his physical readiness is matched by his mental resolve, as he seeks competitive matches to sharpen his game. "I need competition," he repeated, underscoring his desire to test himself against top opponents rather than linger in a prolonged rehab phase.
Alcaraz also commented on the odd situation of not having seen fellow world No.1 Jannik Sinner, who has been sidelined with an injury of his own, for several months. "It's a weird situation to be honest.
I just wish him all the best... a great recovery and to see him back in court at his best," he said, extending genuine goodwill to his rival. While his time away from the court was largely spent in recovery, Alcaraz did enjoy a moment of national pride off the baseline.
He was invited to carry the World Cup trophy onto the pitch at MetLife Stadium during Spain's victory over Argentina, a memory he described as "a lifetime experience." He recounted the ceremony, noting that Louis Vuitton provided the ceremonial trunks for the trophy, and that handing the cup to his teammates on the field was an unforgettable honor. Looking ahead, Alcaraz's schedule at Flushing Meadows includes not only his singles matches but also a mixed‑doubles appearance with Serena Williams, providing a low‑pressure environment to gauge his match fitness. The US Open will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app for viewers without a contract. Fans can also anticipate the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, which will also be shown on Sky Sports.
In summary, Carlos Alcaraz returns to the US Open with confidence in his health, a clear focus on competition, and an unwavering belief that his game remains unchanged despite the recent setback. His preparation, mental fortitude, and desire to face the best players head‑on suggest that the Spaniard is ready to mount a serious challenge for a second consecutive US Open title, while also offering a supportive nod to fellow competitors navigating their own injury recoveries.