Carlos Alcaraz’s decision to make his return at the US Open is certainly one that raised a few eyebrows.
After four months out with a wrist injury, Alcaraz is set to head straight back into best-of-five-set tennis without having appeared at any hard-court tune-up events.
What would you consider a success for Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open?
He hasn’t played since April…
The Spaniard last featured on the ATP Tour at the Barcelona Open in April and has since dropped down to world number three after missing the French Open and Wimbledon.
Alcaraz is the defending champion at the US Open, having captured his sixth major crown in New York last year.
While he has not played a singles match heading into his title defence, Alcaraz has got some matchplay under his belt in mixed doubles alongside Serena Williams.
Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, suggested a warm-up singles event for Alcaraz was not really necessary.
“Carlos and his team have no fear,” said Macci in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
I love that. Just like Serena playing Wimbledon, let’s dive into the biggest stage with no repetition, just raw, rare-air ambition.
Where do you rank Ben Shelton on the list of favorites for the US Open title?
He has never won a Grand Slam title…
“Greatness thinks and feels differently. They look at this through a very different lens than 99.9% of the world.
“Everything in life is perspective, but most of all, coming out of New York healthy is really the main objective.
“If somehow, someway, the Spanish Magician can win the title, he goes to another level of being a unicorn that was ever born.”
The main threats in Carlos Alcaraz’s quarter of the draw
Alcaraz’s US Open campaign will not only be made more difficult by his lack of matchplay, but also his tough draw.
The highest seed in Alcaraz’s quarter of the draw is Ben Shelton, who captured the Canadian Open title earlier in the hard-court swing.
Alcaraz also has Cincinnati Open champion Arthur Fils in his way, with the Frenchman in electric form ahead of the Grand Slam.
Should he advance to the semifinals, Alcaraz is projected to face Novak Djokovic for the first time since the Australian Open final.
Alcaraz can avoid top seed Alexander Zverev until the championship match at the US Open.
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