Carlos Alcaraz has entered the Cincinnati Open as the world number three prepares to return from the wrist injury that has sidelined him since April.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion, 23, has not played since suffering the injury at the Barcelona Open. He subsequently withdrew from the French Open — missing the chance to defend his Roland Garros title — and Wimbledon, in a significant blow to his 2026 season.
Alcaraz will miss the Canadian Open in Montreal (2-13 August) but has confirmed his participation in the Cincinnati Open, an ATP Masters 1000 event running from 13-23 August. The Spaniard will use the tournament to gauge his match fitness ahead of the US Open, where he is the reigning champion.
Cincinnati holds special significance for Alcaraz, who won the title in 2025 after world number one Jannik Sinner retired from the final due to illness. With Sinner enjoying a dominant 2026 campaign — winning all five Masters 1000 events so far this year, including a second consecutive Wimbledon title — the Cincinnati draw could provide an intriguing subplot.
For Alcaraz, the priority is regaining competitive rhythm after nearly four months without a tour-level match. His wrist injury, sustained during the Barcelona Open in April, proved more serious than initially feared, forcing him out of both Roland Garros and the grass-court season. The Cincinnati hard courts offer a testing but manageable environment for his return, with the US Open in New York — where he lifted the trophy in 2024 — following on 30 August.
The Spaniard's return adds star power to a Cincinnati field that already includes Sinner and most of the ATP's top names. Alcaraz, who owns seven major titles despite his youth, will be eager to remind the tennis world of his quality after watching Sinner extend his lead at the top of the rankings.
The Cincinnati Open gets underway on 13 August.
Sources
- BBC Sport — Alcaraz eyes return from injury at Cincinnati Open: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/c3ekj7l55vno
