Recovery advances while his comeback date remains uncertain.
MURCIA, SPAIN — July 2026.
Carlos Alcaraz has delivered the most encouraging sign of his recovery by returning to right-handed hitting after more than two months away from competitive tennis because of a wrist injury. Recent training footage showed the Spanish player striking controlled forehands and two-handed backhands without the protective brace that had accompanied the earlier stages of his rehabilitation. The images immediately increased expectations that his return to the ATP Tour could be approaching, particularly as the North American hard-court season prepares to begin. However, neither Alcaraz nor his team has announced a definitive tournament for his comeback, meaning supporters will still have to wait for formal confirmation.
The 23-year-old has not competed since April 14, when he defeated Finland’s Otto Virtanen in the opening round of the Barcelona Open before withdrawing from the tournament because of pain in his right wrist. Medical examinations subsequently revealed that the problem was more serious than initially expected, forcing him to abandon plans to compete in Madrid and Rome. He later withdrew from Roland Garros, Queen’s and Wimbledon, sacrificing some of the most important tournaments and ranking opportunities of his season. The decision reflected a strategy centered on complete recovery rather than attempting an accelerated return that could transform the injury into a recurring problem.
Alcaraz initially resumed physical conditioning without using his dominant hand, concentrating on running, strength exercises, movement drills and occasional shots played with his left hand. His progression continued when he removed the brace and began completing increasingly demanding sessions designed to test the wrist under controlled conditions. Returning to forehand practice represents an important step because the stroke places significant rotational and impact stress on the affected area. Training successfully is not equivalent to being prepared for competition, however, because tournament tennis requires repeated acceleration, defensive reactions, serving, long rallies and recovery across consecutive matches.
Several events have been mentioned as possible stages for his return, including Washington, Los Cabos, Canada and Cincinnati before the US Open begins in late August. None of those tournaments has yet been officially confirmed by the player, his representatives or the respective organizers. His team is expected to evaluate how the wrist responds to progressively heavier workloads before selecting an event capable of providing competitive preparation without creating unnecessary risk. The primary objective is believed to be reaching the US Open in full physical condition rather than returning early simply to accumulate matches or recover ranking points.
Former world number one Jim Courier has publicly supported the cautious approach adopted by Alcaraz and his medical team. The four-time Grand Slam champion argued that short-term absences carry little importance when measured against the possibility of preserving an exceptional player for another decade or longer. Courier believes Alcaraz possesses the talent to pursue historic records and should therefore make decisions based on the full duration of his career rather than the urgency of the current calendar. His assessment reinforces the principle that missing major tournaments can be painful but remains preferable to compromising the long-term function of a wrist essential to every element of the Spaniard’s game.
The interruption arrived after an impressive beginning to the season in which Alcaraz won the Australian Open, completed the Career Grand Slam and added another title in Doha. He also reached the Monte Carlo final before the Barcelona injury abruptly ended his momentum during the European clay-court period. His absence created a major opening for Jannik Sinner and other rivals while removing one of the sport’s most dynamic attractions from Roland Garros and Wimbledon. It also cost Alcaraz a substantial number of ranking points, although his established record and relatively young age reduce the strategic importance of protecting an immediate numerical position.
Wrist injuries require particular caution in professional tennis because they affect serving, returning, topspin production, changes of direction and confidence during explosive ball striking. Even after the original pain disappears, players must recover strength, mobility and trust in the joint before they can swing freely during high-pressure competition. Alcaraz’s aggressive style increases those demands because he generates considerable racket speed and frequently attempts powerful shots from difficult defensive positions. A premature comeback could therefore produce compensatory movements elsewhere in the body or recreate the inflammation that forced him to stop during one of the busiest sections of the season.
The encouraging training images confirm that Alcaraz is moving toward the final stages of rehabilitation, but they do not yet constitute an official return announcement. His next challenge will be completing full-intensity practices, serving normally and recovering without discomfort after repeated sessions. Only after those conditions are satisfied will his team determine whether he needs a preparatory tournament or should continue training until the major event in New York. The most anticipated news in tennis is consequently closer than it was several weeks ago, although patience remains the central requirement surrounding one of the sport’s most valuable careers.
Phoenix24 — Global news with clarity and perspective.