Carlos Alcaraz has announced that he feels "great" as he gears up for his US Open title defence, 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, a seven‑time Grand Slam champion, has long been known for delivering his best tennis on the sport's biggest stages, and despite the uncertainty surrounding his comeback, he remains a formidable contender.
Alcaraz will open his defence against Russia's Roman Safiullin, after a brief warm‑up match in the mixed doubles alongside Serena Williams. The young champion explained that the injury period forced him to focus on the mental side of the game. "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," he said.
"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 Alcariz might need to alter his technique to protect his wrist, a situation similar to Britain's Jack Draper, who attempted to modify his serve after a lingering injury but ultimately remained sidelined. Alcaraz, however, insists that his game plan has not changed.
"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 Spaniard acknowledges that the timing of his return is far from ideal. The US Open is a best‑of‑five‑set tournament, and this will be his first event after a prolonged hiatus. "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," Alcaraz said.
"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. 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 odd circumstance that he has not 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 in court at his best," he said, expressing genuine concern for his rival. While he was away from the tennis circuit, Alcaraz still enjoyed moments in the public eye. 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 details of the ceremony, noting that the trophy was placed in a Louis Vuitton‑provided trunk and that he felt immense pride handing it over to his teammates on the field.
Looking ahead, the US Open will be broadcast live on Sky Sports beginning August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app without a contract. Fans can also anticipate the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, which will likewise be shown on Sky Sports. In summary, Alcaraz's message is clear: he craves competition, trusts his preparation, and believes his game remains unchanged despite the recent setback.
With his confidence restored and his team behind him, he is poised to launch a serious challenge for the US Open crown, aiming to add another Grand Slam title to his already impressive résumé.