Overview
- Alcaraz announced on Thursday that he will defend his US Open title after a four‑month absence caused by a right‑wrist injury he suffered at the Barcelona Open in April.
- The comeback was posted jointly with Fabrizio Romano on social media using Romano’s catchphrase, a high‑profile reveal that immediately removed uncertainty over Alcaraz’s participation.
- Alcaraz skipped Cincinnati after ramping up training in Murcia and has no recent competitive hard‑court matches, meaning he will enter Flushing Meadows with limited match practice.
- Medical reports in the coverage identify the condition as tenosynovitis, which specialists say can recur under heavy stroke and serve loads and therefore raises re‑injury concerns if ramp‑up is too fast.
- His decision affects rankings and the tournament picture because he must defend 2,000 points at the US Open, Jannik Sinner’s own fitness remains undecided, and organisers have boosted prize money and launched a player advisory council that frames player return choices.