Carlos Alcaraz’s long-awaited return to competitive tennis appears to be edging closer after encouraging reports from Spain suggested that the 23-year-old has fully recovered from the wrist injury that has kept him sidelined for nearly four months. According to La Verdad, the Spaniard’s medical team has been satisfied with his progress, raising hopes that he could return in time for the US Open later this summer.
Alcaraz has not played a competitive match since suffering an injury to his right wrist during the Barcelona Open in April. The setback forced him to pull out of a host of major tournaments, including Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros and Wimbledon, significantly disrupting a season that had begun in spectacular fashion. Earlier in the year, the Spaniard captured his maiden Australian Open title and completed the career Grand Slam at the age of 23.
Concerns over his fitness resurfaced after his name was omitted from the entry list for the Canadian Open in Montreal. However, Spanish media reports have insisted that the decision was part of a carefully managed recovery programme rather than a sign of any fresh complications. Alcaraz himself recently shared videos of his training sessions, reassuring fans that his comeback remains “on the right track”.
CINCINNATI EMERGES AS COMEBACK TARGET
The most significant update came after Alcaraz underwent another assessment with renowned sports physician Angel Ruiz-Cotorro. La Verdad reported that the doctor was pleased with the player’s recovery and is expected to grant him medical clearance soon. The report added that Alcaraz’s wrist is now “healthy” and “completely healed”, with his team gradually increasing the intensity of his training sessions.
With Montreal now ruled out, all signs point towards the Cincinnati Masters as the tournament where Alcaraz could make his long-awaited return. His camp is reportedly prioritising the ATP Masters 1000 event in Ohio, which begins in mid-August, to ensure that he arrives in peak condition for the final Grand Slam of the season.
The timing is particularly significant because Alcaraz will head to Cincinnati as the defending champion, having lifted the trophy there last year. A successful return would not only provide him with valuable match practice ahead of Flushing Meadows but also allow him to defend crucial ranking points.
For now, optimism has replaced uncertainty around the Spaniard’s recovery. If his rehabilitation continues on its current trajectory, tennis fans may not have to wait much longer to see one of the sport’s biggest stars back on court, with Cincinnati potentially serving as the final stepping stone towards a highly anticipated return at the US Open.
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