Carlos Alcaraz has put an end to the suspense. The Spaniard confirmed on August 20 that he will defend his title at the US Open, four months after leaving the tour with a right wrist injury.
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Alcaraz withdrew from competition after his first-round win at the Barcelona Open in April, ahead of an absence that stretched well beyond initial expectations. He missed both Roland-Garros and Wimbledon, two tournaments where he had figured among the natural favorites given his recent record on clay and grass.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion arrives at Flushing Meadows without a single competitive match since April. He has not played a warm-up event ahead of the tournament, which runs from August 30 to September 13. That is a rare situation for a player of his caliber, and even more so for a defending champion.
Despite the four-month layoff, Alcaraz remains ranked world number 2, a sign of the cushion built up during the first part of his season. The ranking protects his seeding, but says nothing about his actual form against opponents who have played through the entire summer swing.
The question now surrounding his return is less about his presence, which is confirmed, than about his physical level after such a long break. US Open organizers welcomed the news of his entry, which reinforces a draw already marked by several fitness question marks among the top seeds.
