Carlos Alcaraz has made it clear that he craves competitive match play as he prepares to defend his US Open crown, marking his first major appearance since recovering from a right‑wrist injury that forced him out of competition in April. The 23‑year‑old Spaniard, already a seven‑time Grand Slam champion, described his physical state as "feeling great" and expressed confidence that his rehabilitation period has actually given him a mental edge. The young star’s extended lay‑off has inevitably raised questions about his form and readiness, but Alcaraz’s track record of delivering his best tennis on the sport’s biggest stages suggests he cannot be dismissed lightly.
He will open his title‑defence against Russia’s Roman Safiullin, following a brief mixed‑doubles warm‑up alongside 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 Spaniard said, emphasizing the importance of mental trust in his support staff. "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 aggravating the wrist, a dilemma that has also plagued other players such as Britain’s Jack Draper, who has been forced to experiment with his serve in an effort to manage lingering pain. However, Alcaraz insists his preparation has not required any major technical adjustments. "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 affirmed. "I just wanted to feel that I was going to be myself." The US Open, a best‑of‑five‑set men’s tournament, will be Alcaraz’s first competition after a prolonged hiatus, and he acknowledges the challenge this presents. "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," he admitted.
While the timing of his return may not have been ideal, he and his coaching team are convinced that he is ready. "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. "We saw that everything was fine, that everything was responding properly, and we believed it was the right time to come back." Alcaraz also commented on the peculiar situation of not having seen fellow world No.1 Jannik Sinner, who is also nursing an injury, 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 on court at his best," he said, expressing genuine concern for his rival. Despite his time away from the baseline, Alcaraz has not been completely out of the public eye.
He was invited to carry the World Cup trophy onto the pitch at MetLife Stadium during Spain’s triumph over Argentina, an experience he described as "a lifetime experience." He recounted how Louis Vuitton provided the ceremonial trunks for the trophy, allowing him the honor of presenting the prize on the field. "It was a great experience," he said, highlighting the pride he feels representing his country in both tennis and football celebrations. Looking ahead, Alcariz’s US Open campaign will be broadcast live on Sky Sports beginning August 30, with additional streaming options available through NOW and the Sky Sports app.
Fans can also anticipate the Laver Cup at The O2 in London later in September, which will likewise be shown on Sky Sports. As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on whether Alcaraz can translate his post‑injury confidence into a successful defence of his title, and whether his desire for competition will be satisfied by the high‑stakes matches that lie ahead.