Will Carlos Alcaraz play the US Open? ‘If there’s somebody that could do it, it’s him’

A former American ATP Tour star has shared his thoughts on the prospect of Carlos Alcaraz returning from his wrist injury to play the 2026 US Open.

Alcaraz has been sidelined since April due to a right wrist injury that he suffered during his opening round win at the Barcelona Open.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion will not make his comeback at the Cincinnati Open, with the Spanish superstar’s withdrawal from the Masters 1000 tournament confirmed earlier this week.

After missing both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, Alcaraz remains on the entry list for the 2026 US Open, which is the fourth and final Grand Slam event of the season.

The world No 2 is the reigning champion at Flushing Meadows, but many feel it would be difficult for him to play a major without a warmup tournament after such a delicate injury.

Speaking on Tennis Channel, Steve Johnson weighed in on Alcaraz’s lengthy absence from the tour.

“I’m just a bit sad for all the tennis fans out there,” said the former world No 21. “We want to see Carlos back – tennis is better when he is out there and competing.

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“But look, there are good signs. You can see him moving in some of these videos that he’s posting, it’s getting closer and closer.

“But you’ve got to just be so careful with the right wrist injury for Carlos. He’s so young, still so much life ahead of him on tour. So you can’t rush it back, but I really hope he’s back for the [US] Open.”

Johnson added: “For the common man, no [I would not advise them to return for the US Open]. But if you’re Carlos Alcaraz, you can do whatever you want. If there’s somebody that could do it, I believe it’s him.

“But you just got to be super smart because that’s his money-maker – that right wrist, that forehand, that serve, the power that he can generate.

“So unless he is 100% healthy and feels that he can finish the tournament, seven matches, best three out of five, then he shouldn’t play, which is not what you want to hear as a tennis fan.”