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Carlos Alcaraz confirms U.S. Open return via soccer transfer expert Fabrizio Romano
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Carlos Alcaraz, the seven-time Grand Slam champion and defending U.S. Open champion, has announced his return to tennis after a four-month absence due to a wrist injury (tenosynovitis). The 23-year-old Spaniard made the announcement in a social media collaboration with soccer transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, using his catchphrase 'Here we go.' Alcaraz has been sidelined since April, missing the French Open and Wimbledon. He is expected to compete in the singles event at the U.S. Open, which begins August 30, though his participation is not yet formally confirmed. There is also speculation he could enter the mixed doubles tournament, potentially partnering with Serena Williams. His return sets up a potential rivalry renewal with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who is also recovering from a knee injury.
Source report
Carlos Alcaraz will return in New York, from a wrist injury that has sidelined him since April. (Matthew Stockman / Getty Images)
By Matthew Futterman Aug. 20, 2026 | Updated Aug. 21, 2026 9:23 am EDT
“I’m coming back. Here we go.”
With those six words, Carlos Alcaraz bent the tennis universe back his way Thursday, heralding his return to the sport after a four-month absence due to a wrist injury.
Alcaraz, the seven-time Grand Slam champion who has been out since April, announced his return at the U.S. Open in a collaboration post with soccer transfer figure Fabrizio Romano, even incorporating the Italian’s catchphrase: “Here we go.”
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fabrizio Romano (@fabriziorom)
Key Details
- Age: 23 years old
- Nationality: Spanish
- Status: Defending champion in New York
- Injury: Tenosynovitis (fluid accumulation in the sheath protecting a key wrist tendon)
- Absence: Since April 2026; missed the French Open and Wimbledon
Tournament Timeline
- Mixed doubles tournament: Runs Aug. 24–26 (including qualifying); U.S. Open still has three wild cards available
- Singles main draw: Begins Aug. 30
- Singles draw announcement: Aug. 27 — Alcaraz's participation does not need to be finalized until then
Potential Matchups and Pairings
- Singles: Alcaraz could renew his rivalry with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, though Sinner has yet to confirm his participation after withdrawing from the Cincinnati Open with a right knee injury
- Mixed doubles: Alcaraz could pair with Serena Williams, forming a tantalizing duo in the mixed event
Seeding and Ranking
Assuming he plays singles, Alcaraz will be the No. 3 seed behind Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev.
Injury Background
Alcaraz has been managing tenosynovitis, an injury in which fluid accumulates in the sheath that protects a key tendon in the wrist. The Spaniard and his team took a cautious approach:
- French Open: Withdrew a full month before the tournament
- Wimbledon: Withdrew nearly six weeks out
- Cincinnati: Withdrew much closer to the event, signaling his comeback was nearing
Context
Alcaraz's absence has been an especially acute blow to the men's game, which has relied on him and Sinner to provide a classic generational rivalry over the coming decades. No one else won a Grand Slam title from the start of 2024 through this year's Australian Open.
As Jannik Sinner said at Wimbledon: “Tennis needs Carlos.”
What You Should Read Next: Tennis players fear wrist injuries more than any other. Carlos Alcaraz is no exception.
Source
Soccer - The AthleticWestern
Part of this Story
Carlos Alcaraz Confirms Return at 2026 U.S. Open After Wrist Injury