Carlos Alcaraz could be set to make an appearance at the US Open after all, even though most tennis observers believe he will not make the final Grand Slam of 2026 his comeback event after a long spell off court with injury.

Alcaraz has not played since damaging his wrist at the Barcelona Open in April, with his swift decision to pull out of the French Open and Wimbledon highlighting the severity of the injury.

The defending US Open champion has been stepping up his preparations for a return to action in recent days and he staged a high-profile hitting session with Holger Rune earlier this week that created a stir on social media when footage was released.

Rune is also on the way back to full fitness after rupturing his Achilles tendon last November and he is another big name weighing up whether to try and play at the US Open.

What may be more realistic for both Alcaraz and Rune may be an appearance in the mixed doubles event that will be staged next week, prior to the main draw getting underway in New York on Sunday, August 30th.

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While Alcaraz and Rune are not currently on the entry list for the high-profile mixed doubles event, they could play in what will be a lower-intensity setting to assess whether they are ready to play at the US Open.

It would be a major risk for both Alcaraz and Rune to return to best-of-five-set tennis at a Grand Slam after so long away from the court, but they could give their sponsors plenty of exposure by making high-profile comebacks in New York in the mixed doubles.

Alcaraz played with Britain’s Emma Raducanu last year, while Rune played with America’s Amanda Anisimova in last year’s competition.

Both of those mixed doubles matches were over in double quick time, so the event could provide a platform for Alcaraz and Rune to make gentle returns to action in front of big crowds.

Reports suggest Alcaraz and Rune may be able to play in the mixed doubles with a wildcard later this month, with USTA chiefs leaving the door open for their return.

Alcaraz is clearly tempted to try and play at the US Open, despite pulling out of this week’s Cincinnati Open, but former British No 1 Greg Rusedski has warned him against a hasty comeback.

“You can count the US Open out now. There is no way he’s gonna play in the US Open if he’s missing Cincinnati,” said Rusedski on the latest edition of his podcast.

“I was questioning where he was at a bit when we saw him hitting with juniors, but it looked pretty good with the movement, the strike, the new hairdo. Everything was looking good. Then we get this news.

“If this was just a little bit of inflammation, a little problem, he would be back by now. It’s something a little bit more serious. We don’t know if he’s had a tear, whether it’s something more, whether he’s had a little bit of surgery in there. Who knows what’s happened?

“And the only people who know are Carlos Alcaraz and the rest of his team. But this is taking a lot longer than we thought.

“I think take as long as you need to, even if he misses the rest of the year and then starts up again in 2027.

“I think it’s a big risk to play at the US Open. I think you’ve got to come out of a two-out-of-three-set match to start because it’s one thing to practice, it’s another thing to play a match.

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“The adrenaline in the body, going hell for leather, you always go up with your tennis about an extra five, ten per cent from what you do in practice, no matter how hard you train.

“Plus, there’s the nerves and the expectation. You’re not gonna bounce back and come in with a three-out-of-five set match. I would be shocked if he plays the US Open. To me, he had to play Cincinnati to have a chance to go to the Open.

“So I would be surprised. After the US Open, I think possibly we might see him back, or maybe not even till next year.

“He’s not going to make the mistake with his risk. He doesn’t want to risk it. So I don’t see him still playing at the US Open, even though we’re seeing a lot of progress in his comeback.”

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