Carlos Alcaraz has announced that he feels "great" as he gears up for his first US Open appearance since a right‑wrist injury forced him out of competition in April. The 23‑year‑old Spaniard, a seven‑time Grand Slam champion, acknowledges that his long layoff has raised questions about his form, but he remains confident that his best tennis is usually produced on the sport’s biggest stages.
Alcaraz will open his title‑defence against Russia’s Roman Safiullin, following a brief warm‑up in the mixed‑doubles draw alongside Serena Williams. The young champion explained that the injury period has been a mental lesson: "Everything is in my head now.
I have to trust my team and the people who keep telling me everything will be fine. I just need to give 100 per cent and try to leave the fear behind and play normally." He added that his recent training sessions have gone smoothly and that he feels physically ready to compete. There were early rumours that Alcaraz might need to alter his technique to avoid re‑injuring his wrist, a scenario that has already affected other players such as Britain’s Jack Draper, who was forced to modify his serve and remains sidelined.
However, Alcaraz insists he has not made any technical changes. "I haven’t altered my strokes or my movement patterns," he said. "I just want to be myself on court." The US Open, a best‑of‑five‑sets tournament, will be Alcaraz’s first major event since his recovery, and he admits the timing of his return is far from ideal. "Preparation hasn’t been perfect, but my team and I believe I’m ready," he explained.
"We’ve done everything we can, both on and off the court, to feel prepared. Everything has responded well in training, so we decided the time was right to come back." Alcaraz also expressed sympathy for fellow world No.1 Jannik Sinner, who has been out with an injury for several months. "It’s a strange situation – I haven’t seen Jannik in a long time.
I wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back at his best soon," he said. While he has been away from competitive play, Alcariz has not been completely out of 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. "It was a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience to see Spain lift the World Cup," Alcaraz recalled. He described the moment of handing the trophy to his teammates as unforgettable, noting that the luxury brand Louis Vuitton provided the case for the trophy, adding a touch of glamour to the ceremony.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz’s US Open campaign will be broadcast live on Sky Sports beginning August 30, with streaming options available through NOW and the Sky Sports app. Fans can also catch the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London later in September, also shown on Sky Sports. In summary, Alcaraz is eager for high‑level competition and believes his wrist injury has given him a fresh perspective on the mental aspects of the game.
He stresses that he has kept his playing style intact and is focused on delivering his best tennis, trusting his support team to manage any lingering concerns. As the tournament approaches, the tennis world will be watching closely to see whether the Spaniard can translate his confidence and preparation into another Grand Slam triumph, adding to his already impressive list of achievements. The stakes are high, but Alcaraz’s message is clear: he is ready, he is motivated, and he simply needs the chance to compete against the best to prove that he remains one of the sport’s premier talents.