Carlos Alcaraz returned to competitive tennis at the US Open following a nearly five-month absence due to a right wrist injury, defeating Russia’s Roman Safiullin 6:4, 6:4, 6:4 to advance to the second round at Flushing Meadows, according to match reports from New York.
The Comeback Trail and Injury Recovery
The 23-year-old Spaniard had not played a competitive match since mid-April, when he sustained the right wrist injury in Barcelona. The layoff forced him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon, creating what Alcaraz described as a challenging mental and physical hurdle. Speaking after his opening-round victory on court, Alcaraz admitted to harboring doubts during his recovery. “I will not lie, I had doubts. Can I play five sets? Or is it only enough for three or even just two? I just told myself: Let’s see what happens and now I have won in straight sets,” Alcaraz said.
Before taking the court for his first-round singles match, Alcaraz tested his movement and physical condition during training sessions in Flushing Meadows, including a high-profile workout at the Louis Armstrong Stadium. Throughout his practices and matches, Alcaraz has continued to wear a protective sleeve on his right forearm extending up near the elbow. Reflecting on the months away from the tour, Alcaraz noted the emotional toll of the rehabilitation process. “It was very tough almost five months. The US Open is a special place, a special tournament for me. I am so happy to be back. I missed everything: the competition, the tournaments, the atmosphere. Now I am back,” he said.
Navigating Difficult Thoughts and Career Perspective
The rehabilitation period tested the former world number one’s patience as he weighed when and where he would make his competitive return. Alcaraz revealed that uncertainty surrounded his summer schedule during the recovery phase. “Difficult thoughts came up. I didn’t know when it would start, and I wondered if I would be ready for Cincinnati or the US Open or perhaps miss the entire American tour. Dealing with that was really hard. That was the biggest challenge,” Alcaraz explained.
While the time off allowed for extended family gatherings, it solidified his dedication to the sport. “It has become clear to me that tennis is my life and my passion and I really missed it very much,” Alcaraz stated. At the same time, he acknowledged a broader lesson from the layoff: “I also know that I don’t have to wait for such an injury to switch off and take time to enjoy life.”
Next Match and Tournament Outlook
Alcaraz moves forward in the men’s singles draw at Flushing Meadows. With Jannik Sinner absent from the tournament due to a knee injury, the men’s bracket carries heightened attention on Alcaraz’s progression. Alcaraz secured his previous US Open singles title in 2025 by defeating Sinner in the final, followed by a triumph at the Australian Open in 2026.
Alcaraz’s next test comes on Wednesday, when he faces Portugal’s Jaime Faria in the second round of the US Open. Official tournament schedules place the match in New York, where Alcaraz will look to continue his physical test over the standard best-of-five-sets Grand Slam format.
Worth a look
