Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Cincinnati Open amid wrist injury struggles
Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of returning before the US Open have suffered another significant setback after the Spaniard withdrew from the Cincinnati Open as he continues his recovery from a wrist injury, reports BritPanorama.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion had been targeting a comeback at the ATP Masters event later this month, but tournament organisers confirmed that the world No 1 will not compete due to an “ongoing wrist injury.” This development raises fresh doubts over whether Alcaraz will be fit to defend his US Open crown, with the final Grand Slam of the season now rapidly approaching.
Alcaraz has not played a competitive match since April after being forced to retire from the Barcelona Open due to this injury. The problem has already ruled him out of both the French Open and Wimbledon, where he had been expected to challenge for more major titles.
Recent weeks had seen growing optimism regarding the 23-year-old’s return, particularly after he shared footage on social media of himself back on court hitting balls following a period with his right wrist immobilised in a protective cast. However, Cincinnati has ultimately come too soon.
Tournament director Bob Moran confirmed Alcaraz’s withdrawal while offering his support to the Spaniard. “We know Carlos is doing everything he can to get back to playing tournaments as soon as possible,” Moran said. “We wish him the best with his recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to Cincinnati in the future.”
Alcaraz’s cautious approach reflects the serious nature of wrist injuries in professional tennis, with long-term complications often forcing players to prioritise recovery over rushing back into competition. The sport has seen several elite careers disrupted by similar problems, as evidenced by former US Open champions Dominic Thiem and Juan Martin del Potro.
Before his injury, the Spaniard was having a historic campaign, becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam after defeating Novak Djokovic to win the Australian Open for the first time. His absence from Roland Garros allowed Alexander Zverev to capture the first Grand Slam title of his career, while Jannik Sinner successfully defended his Wimbledon crown by defeating Zverev in the final.
This situation serves as a stark reminder of how swiftly fortunes can shift in tennis, with promising trajectories clouded by the uncertainty of injury. As Alcaraz continues to heal, the sport will be watching closely to see if this young talent can reclaim his place among the elite when ready to compete once more.
