Carlos Alcaraz Suffers Injury Blow, Withdraws From Cincinnati Open

Carlos Alcaraz's long-awaited return to competitive tennis has been delayed once again after the Spanish superstar officially withdrew from the 2026 Cincinnati Open due to a lingering right wrist injury.

The world No. 2 has not played a competitive match since the Barcelona Open in April, with the injury forcing him to miss several of the biggest events on the ATP calendar, including the French Open, Wimbledon, and the entire grass-court season.

His latest withdrawal is another setback as he continues his recovery ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year.

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Alcaraz had initially been expected to return in Cincinnati, where he was the defending champion. The ATP Masters 1000 tournament, which begins on August 11, serves as one of the most important warm-up events before the US Open.

Tournament director Bob Moran expressed his support for the Spaniard following the announcement.

"We know Carlos is doing everything he can to get back to playing tournaments as soon as possible," Moran said in an official statement.

“We wish him the best with his recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to Cincinnati in the future," he added.

The 23-year-old has been sidelined for nearly four months after aggravating his wrist injury during the clay-court season.

His absence has been felt throughout the tour, with the seven-time Grand Slam champion missing the opportunity to defend both his French Open and Wimbledon titles.

Despite his withdrawal from Cincinnati, there remains optimism surrounding his fitness ahead of the US Open. Recent videos and photographs shared on social media have shown Alcaraz training at high intensity, fuelling speculation that he was close to making his comeback in Ohio.

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Will Carlos Alcaraz Play at the US Open?

The next major target for Alcaraz is the US Open, where he is the reigning men's singles champion. The tournament's main draw begins on August 30, giving the Spaniard nearly three additional weeks to continue his rehabilitation.

Although Alcaraz remains on the US Open entry list, neither he nor his team has officially confirmed whether he will be fit to defend his title in New York. His participation will likely depend on how his wrist responds over the coming weeks.