Uncertainty Surrounds Carlos Alcaraz's US Open Singles Return, Doubts Raised by Greg Rusedski
Carlos Alcaraz's declared intention to compete in the US Open singles tournament has been met with both excitement and considerable apprehension. Many within the tennis community are now questioning the prudence of such a swift return, especially given his recent recovery from a significant wrist injury. Among the most vocal critics is former tennis finalist Greg Rusedski, who has controversially dismissed Alcaraz's announcement as merely a 'publicity stunt.' Rusedski’s primary concern revolves around the young athlete's lack of competitive preparation, raising doubts about his readiness for the demanding tournament.
The Flushing Meadows event, scheduled from August 30th to September 13th, leaves Alcaraz with a mere week to intensively train and achieve peak physical condition. This would mark his first competitive appearance since the Barcelona Open in mid-April, where he sustained a wrist injury that has sidelined him for a substantial portion of the 2026 season. The men's singles field at the US Open is perceived as wide open this year, particularly following Jannik Sinner's withdrawal due to a knee injury. While Alcaraz would typically be considered a top contender, the uncertainty surrounding his physical state makes his potential performance a matter of widespread speculation until he steps onto the court.
Rusedski articulated his reservations about Alcaraz's decision on his "Off Court" podcast, questioning the wisdom of returning to a demanding best-of-five sets format with a recovering wrist injury. He stated, “I would be very surprised if he plays in the singles, but he says ‘I’m back’.” Rusedski further speculated that Alcaraz's coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, might not have endorsed such a high-risk move if the player wasn't fully recovered, suggesting a potential strain in their professional relationship. He expressed hope for Alcaraz's health but implied that the announcement might be a calculated public relations move rather than a genuine indicator of readiness.
The former World No. 4 was firm in his conviction that Alcaraz would likely withdraw from the singles event, suggesting he might only participate in the mixed doubles. “I’d be very surprised if he plays in the singles. He has lost early when he hasn’t played tournaments for a long time. It’s one thing to practice. It’s another thing to play an event,” Rusedski observed. He acknowledged Alcaraz's immense talent and importance to men's tennis, calling him a combination of Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal, but stressed the importance of his long-term health over a premature return.
Alcaraz's scheduled appearance with Serena Williams in the US Open mixed doubles event precedes the main singles draw. While this offers fans a glimpse of his return, Rusedski views it as inadequate preparation for the intensity of singles competition. He commented, “The mixed doubles, no disrespect, but that’s not a proper tennis event. That’s half a court. That’s a little bit of, you know, social giggle trying to win a major tournament, which is still very special, but it’s not the same thing as playing singles where you have to cover the whole court.” He emphasized that a proper lead-up event, such as playing in Winston-Salem, would have been a more appropriate indicator of Alcaraz’s readiness for the US Open singles. Rusedski concluded by reiterating his concern for Alcaraz's sustained career, advocating for his long-term health rather than a potentially risky short-term comeback that could exacerbate his injury.