The long-awaited return of Carlos Alcaraz to the Tour is set for next month, provided he receives medical approval, according to Spanish media.
The seven-time Grand Slam winner has been sidelined from the Tour since April due to tenosynovitis in his right wrist, which is inflammation of a tendon sheath in the area. As a result, Alcaraz has missed two Masters events, as well as both the French Open and Wimbledon. It is also understood that he will not be playing in the Canadian Masters.
Instead, Alcaraz’s team are targeting a comeback at the Cincinnati Open in the middle of August. The event starts less than three weeks before the US Open, where the Spaniard will be hoping to defend his title. No male player has managed to win back-to-back titles at Flushing Meadows since Roger Federer in 2008.
According to La Verdad, a daily newspaper based in Alcaraz’s home city of Murcia, the Spaniard’s latest medical results conclude that his wrist has ‘completely healed’ and he will now be able to gradually increase his training intensity. It is reported that Alcaraz should receive full medical clearance soon from Dr. Ángel Ruiz-Cotorro, who has been treating him. There has yet to be any formal comment from Alcaraz or his team to confirm this timeline.
Prior to the injury setback, Alcaraz started 2026 with a win-loss record of 22-3. He completed his career Slam at the Australian Open in January before winning an ATP 500 event in Doha the following month. Alcaraz was also the runner-up in Monte Carlo and a semi-finalist in Indian Wells.
Then 23-year-old has a series of points to defend later this year when he returns. Besides the US Open, he will also be defending 500 points in Tokyo and 1000 at the ATP Finals in Turin. Both of those events he won last season.
Despite his absence, Alcaraz is still ranked third in the ATP rankings and currently has a lead of more than 3000 points over fourth-place Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The Cincinnati Masters start on August 10th.
