Carlos Alcaraz walks into the 2026 US Open carrying a target on his back and a question mark over his wrist. The defending champion missed months of action after a wrist injury sidelined him from April onward, and Flushing Meadows marks his return to Grand Slam tennis.
## A Title Defense Under a Cloud
Alcaraz enters as the reigning champion, having beaten Jannik Sinner in last year’s final. This time, Sinner will not be on the other side of the draw. Instead, Alcaraz faces the tougher task of finding rhythm after a long layoff, against a field that includes new world No. 1 Alexander Zverev.
## Why It Matters
– A win would make Alcaraz a back-to-back US Open champion for the first time in his career
– His comeback timeline puts extra scrutiny on his movement and serve speed in early rounds
– A deep run would reaffirm his status as the sport’s most dynamic shot-maker
## What to Watch
Alcaraz’s draw position and early-round opponents will reveal how much match sharpness he has recovered. Fans tracking Zverev’s push for a maiden Slam should also follow our breakdown of his case as world No. 1, and those wondering about the tournament’s record payday can read our look at the US Open’s prize money jump.
## The Bigger Picture
Alcaraz has already shown he can win majors on any surface, and a return from injury at a Slam he holds is a compelling narrative regardless of the result. If he advances deep into the second week, expect direct comparisons to Rafael Nadal’s own injury-interrupted title runs. If he struggles early, questions about scheduling and durability will follow him into 2027. Either way, his matches will be among the most watched of the tournament, and his form here could shape the rest of the season’s power rankings.