Carlos Alcaraz has entered the Cincinnati Masters 1000, scheduled for August 13-23. The Spaniard, sidelined since sustaining a right wrist injury at the Barcelona Open in April, is targeting the Ohio event as his competitive comeback after more than four months without an official match.
The world number 2 has been dealing with inflammation in the tendon sheath of his right wrist, the longest injury layoff of his young career. The ailment forced him to withdraw from both Roland-Garros and Wimbledon, two Grand Slam titles he had won in 2024. Four months away from competition is unprecedented for a player accustomed to a relentless tournament schedule.
Why Cincinnati for the comeback
The choice of Cincinnati as his return event is no coincidence. Alcaraz won the Ohio Masters 1000 in 2025, giving him a title to defend and a chance to find his rhythm on hard courts before the US Open, which starts on August 25. According to the latest reports, Alcaraz has resumed moderate-intensity training in recent weeks with no significant pain in the wrist. His entry into Cincinnati is the strongest signal yet that his recovery is heading in the right direction.
The rankings race looms large
Alcaraz's extended absence has reshaped the top of the ATP rankings. Alexander Zverev, who won Roland-Garros and reached the Wimbledon final, has closed much of the points gap and now holds the number 1 spot. Jannik Sinner also remains in contention. Without competitive play since April, Alcaraz has watched his points total shrink week after week.
The schedule is tight: Cincinnati begins August 13, the US Open on August 25. If the Spaniard can string together both events, he could defend the thousands of ranking points he earned across those two tournaments last year. A withdrawal from Flushing Meadows, however, would be devastating for his year-end ranking.
Cincinnati will tell the story. Either the wrist holds up and Alcaraz re-establishes himself as the natural favourite at the US Open, or the pain lingers and the remainder of his 2026 season takes a very different path. The entire tour is watching closely.
