Carlos Alcaraz’s much-anticipated return to competitive tennis has suffered another setback.
The world No. 2 has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open because of the wrist injury that has kept him away from the tour for several months. The decision is particularly significant because Cincinnati was supposed to mark his comeback after a lengthy recovery period. Alcaraz is also the defending champion at the Masters 1000 tournament.
Wrist injury continues to disrupt Alcaraz’s season
The problem first became a major concern during the clay-court swing. Alcaraz withdrew from the Barcelona Open in April after his wrist issue resurfaced, and the injury subsequently forced him to miss two of the biggest tournaments on the calendar — the French Open and Wimbledon.
What initially appeared to be a temporary interruption has therefore turned into a much longer rehabilitation process.
Alcaraz had offered encouraging signs in recent weeks, with training footage suggesting that he was moving closer to a return. Cincinnati was expected to provide his first competitive test after the layoff. Instead, the Spaniard has opted against risking a comeback before he is fully ready.
Why the latest withdrawal matters
The timing could hardly be more important.
Alcaraz is the defending US Open champion, having won the New York major last year after also lifting the Cincinnati trophy. His withdrawal from Cincinnati means he is losing a valuable opportunity to regain match sharpness before the US Open begins on August 30.
The immediate priority, however, is clearly his wrist.
For a player whose game relies heavily on explosive forehands, aggressive movement and high-intensity rallies, returning before the injury is properly settled could carry greater risks than missing another tournament.
Alcaraz’s key numbers and records
Age: 23
World ranking: No. 2
Grand Slam titles: 7
2026 Australian Open: Champion
2025 Cincinnati Open: Champion
US Open titles: 2
2026 French Open: Missed
2026 Wimbledon: Missed
Current issue: Ongoing wrist injury
Alcaraz also began 2026 in remarkable fashion, winning the Australian Open and becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam. His absence since April has therefore interrupted what had been another landmark season.
The biggest concern: US Open preparation
The Cincinnati withdrawal does not automatically rule Alcaraz out of the US Open. But it does make his preparation far less straightforward.
The Winston-Salem Open, beginning August 23, could potentially provide another opportunity for him to get competitive minutes before the US Open. However, there is currently no confirmation that Alcaraz will play there.
That leaves the biggest question unanswered: Will Alcaraz be healthy enough — and match-ready enough — to defend his US Open crown?
The situation also changes the competitive picture in New York. While Alcaraz has been sidelined, rival Jannik Sinner has continued to add to his Grand Slam résumé, successfully defending his Wimbledon title.
The bigger picture
For Alcaraz, this is no longer simply about missing one Masters 1000 tournament.
It is about making the right decision with an injury that has already cost him several months of his season.
The temptation to return quickly is obvious, particularly with the US Open approaching. But Cincinnati’s withdrawal suggests that Alcaraz and his team are unwilling to gamble with his fitness for the sake of an earlier comeback.
For now, the objective is simple: get the wrist right, return only when the body is ready, and then see whether the defending US Open champion can make up for lost time in New York.
The clock is ticking, but Alcaraz’s priority appears to be making sure his next comeback is a lasting one rather than another false start.
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