Defending champ Carlos Alcaraz (wrist) to return for U.S. Open

Field Level Media|published: 08/20/2026, 2:17pm EDT

Mar 22, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) yells at his player's box between points against Sebastian Korda (USA) (not pictured) on day six of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Carlos Alcaraz will make his return from a right wrist injury to defend his title at the U.S. Open, he announced Thursday on social media.

"Here we go!" Alcaraz wrote on X with an emoji of the American flag and a waving hand.

Ranked No. 2 in the world, Alcaraz began the calendar year by claiming the Australian Open men's title, becoming the youngest player to complete the Career Grand Slam.

However, the 23-year-old Spaniard suffered inflammation of a tendon in his right wrist while defeating Otto Virtanen of Finland on April 14 at the Barcelona Open. He withdrew from his next match and missed the rest of the clay and grass court seasons, including the French Open and Wimbledon.

Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner of Italy in the final last year to claim his second U.S. Open title.

The 2026 U.S. Open begins its main draw on Aug. 30.

--Field Level Media