“I’d be really surprised to see him at the US Open,” expert warns Alcaraz’s return could be too risky

13 August 2026

Key Takeaways

Injury prevention expert Stephen Smith doubts Carlos Alcaraz will play at the US Open.
“I’d be really surprised to see him at the US Open,” Smith said, citing wrist injury concerns.
Alcaraz has not played an official match since April at the Barcelona ATP 500.

Expert’s concerns

Stephen Smith, founder and CEO of Kitman Labs, explained why Alcaraz’s participation in New York may not be advisable. “I think the U.S. Open brings together pretty much all the major risk factors for athlete health: the extreme heat and humidity of New York, the toughest surface on the circuit, and best‑of‑five‑set matches that can last four or five hours,” he told Tennis365.

Smith emphasized that hard courts provide the lowest protection for players recovering from bone or soft tissue injuries. He questioned why Alcaraz’s team would risk such a demanding environment after months of cautious rehabilitation.

Alcaraz’s ongoing recovery

The former world No.1 has been practicing in Murcia but has not confirmed his participation in the final Grand Slam of the season. During recent training sessions, he was seen wearing an arm protector, sparking speculation about his readiness.

Alcaraz last competed in mid‑April at the Barcelona ATP 500, where he retired after his opening match against Otto Virtanen. Just days earlier, he had appeared at the Monte Carlo Masters 1000.

A cautious approach

Smith suggested a gradual return would be wiser: “If you are taking such a cautious approach and proceeding with a gradual and progressive recovery, why put a player back in the toughest situation he could face in the entire year?” His comments underline the tension between Alcaraz’s desire to compete and the medical advice urging patience.

Carlos Alcaraz in 2026

Carlos Alcaraz

29 - 4win/loss

Hard

23-3

Clay

6-1

Rank
3

High
1

23 year old

WLWWWWWLW

2026 Highlights

Now the world no.2, Alcaraz played his last match on the 14^th of April when he defeated world no.114 Otto Virtanen 6-4 6-2 in the 1^st round in Barcelona (draw).

At present, during this year Alcaraz owns a compiled 22-3 record. The Spaniard conquered 2 titles in 2026 at the Australian Open and Doha.