Carlos Alcaraz has announced that he feels "great" as he gears up to defend his US Open crown, marking his first 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 built a reputation for delivering his finest tennis on the sport's biggest stages, and despite a lengthy layoff, he remains a formidable contender. Alcaraz’s comeback will begin with a mixed‑doubles warm‑up alongside Serena Williams, after which he will launch his singles title defence against Russia’s Roman Safiullin. Speaking to the press, the young champion emphasized the mental side of his recovery.

"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 had been speculation that Alcariz might need to alter his technique to protect his wrist, a scenario not unfamiliar to other players coping with injury. British talent Jack Draper, for example, tried to remodel his serve in an effort to manage lingering pain, but he remains sidelined.

Alcaraz, however, insists he has not made any 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 explained.

"I just wanted to feel that I was going to be myself." The US Open, a best‑of‑five‑set marathon, presents a unique challenge for a player returning after a long break. Alcaraz acknowledged that the timing of his preparation was far from ideal, but he and his support team are confident in his readiness.

"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," he said. "We saw that everything was fine, that everything was responding properly, and we believed it was the right time to come back." Beyond his own recovery, Alcaraz expressed concern for fellow world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who has also been sidelined with injury.

"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," Alcariz added, highlighting the camaraderie that often exists among the sport's elite. While he was away from the baseline, Alcaraz did not disappear from the public eye.

He was invited to carry the World Cup trophy onto the pitch at MetLife Stadium as Spain celebrated a victory over Argentina. "For me it was a lifetime experience, seeing Spain winning the World Cup," he recalled.

"Louis Vuitton had the trunks that were carrying the trophy, so they told me that I'm down to do it. It was a lifetime experience for me, like holding the trophy in the ceremony, to give it to them on the field. So it was a great experience." Looking ahead, the US Open will be broadcast live on Sky Sports starting 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 from September 25‑27, which will be shown on the same network. Alcaraz’s return underscores a broader narrative in tennis: the resilience of young champions confronting physical setbacks while maintaining the hunger for competition. His statement, "I need competition," captures the essence of an athlete who thrives on high‑stakes matches and refuses to let injury dictate his destiny.

As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on the Spaniard to see whether his confidence and unchanged playing style can translate into another Grand Slam triumph, or whether the lingering effects of his wrist will force a more cautious approach. Regardless of the outcome, his presence alone adds a compelling storyline to what promises to be an electrifying edition of the US Open.