Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is set to return to action at the US Open after a four-month absence caused by a right wrist injury sustained at the Barcelona Open in April. The 23-year-old Spaniard's comeback is significant given his dominant early-season form, which had made him the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam, and his return sets up a potential rematch with world number one Jannik Sinner, who beat him in last year's final. His absence has already reshaped the rankings, with Alexander Zverev overtaking him as world number two.

Alcaraz has not played competitively since 14 April, missing most of the clay-court season and the entire grass swing, though he has gradually resumed training in Spain, including practice sessions with Holger Rune. His return was confirmed via a joint social media post with football journalist Fabrizio Romano. Wrist injuries have historically troubled players such as Dominic Thiem and Juan Martin del Potro, making Alcaraz's cautious approach notable. The US Open singles competition begins on Sunday, 30 August in New York, with Sinner also arriving short of hard-court match practice after withdrawing from Cincinnati with a knee injury.