Carlos Alcaraz Says Wrist Is Ready for US Open Defense

Carlos Alcaraz said he feels at “100 percent” as he prepares to begin his US Open title defense following a four-month absence from singles competition caused by a right wrist injury.

The 23-year-old Spaniard has not played a singles match since April 16, when he subsequently withdrew from the Barcelona Open and missed both the French Open and Wimbledon. Speaking at the pre-tournament media day, Alcaraz said demanding practice sessions had helped him regain confidence ahead of the Grand Slam in New York.

“I need to come here to practice with these guys to feel the competition once again, and this is really testing,” Alcaraz said. “I’m feeling great and … that helped me a lot to to know right now that it’s all in my head.”

Alcaraz will open his campaign against Russian veteran Roman Safiullin. His return is one of the major storylines of the tournament, with the defending champion attempting to rediscover competitive rhythm in a best-of-five-set format after a lengthy spell away from singles.

Alcaraz trusts his team after wrist recovery

Alcaraz said his coaching and support team were fully confident that he was ready to compete, and he is trying to move beyond concerns about the wrist as his first-round match approaches.

“I gotta trust my people that tell me that it’s gonna be fine. So I just have to go 100 percent,” he said. “So I’m just trying to to like stay away … from that fear.”

The Spaniard’s pre-event schedule included a mixed doubles appearance with Serena Williams on Tuesday. The pair won their first match before losing in the second round to Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli. Alcaraz showed flashes of quality in that appearance, although he also looked rusty at times.

His singles draw could bring difficult tests if he progresses through the opening rounds. After Safiullin, Alcaraz could potentially meet Tommy Paul or Alexander Bublik in the fourth round, with Ben Shelton or Arthur Fils possible quarter-final opponents.

Alcaraz would ordinarily arrive in New York as a leading favorite, but his injury layoff has added uncertainty to his prospects. Alexander Zverev, ranked second and seeded first following world number one Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal, said he still expected Alcaraz to become a contender if he navigates his early matches.

“I expect him to be maybe a bit rusty the first or second match, but once he gets through that, I think he’s going to be a contender for sure here,” Zverev said.

Taylor Fritz, the ninth seed, also noted the challenge of returning from an extended absence at a major, where men play three-out-of-five-set matches. However, he said that getting through the first few rounds could allow Alcaraz to settle into the event and find his form.

Sinner absence pauses a leading rivalry

Alcaraz and Sinner split the four Grand Slam titles in 2025, winning two apiece, and met in the finals of three majors that season. Their rivalry will not continue at the biggest events in 2026 after Sinner withdrew from New York because of a knee injury.

“We are not gonna see each other for, like, six months now, seven months. So it’s kind of weird situation, to be honest,” Alcaraz said. He added that he wished Sinner “all the best” and hoped to see his rival return to the court at his best.

During his own time away, Alcaraz said the early stages were difficult, especially when he could not use his arm. He also said he made the most of the break by spending time with family and friends at home. Now, with practice having eased his doubts, Alcaraz begins his US Open defense seeking to turn physical readiness into match sharpness.