AAP Tennis

Two-time champion racing clock to defend US Open title

By AAP Newswire

Aug 5, 2026

Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open because of a lingering right wrist injury that has sidelined him since April.

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The world No.2 was hoping to return to defend his hard court title, which serves as an important warm-up for the US Open, which he also won in 2025.

"We know Carlos is doing everything he can to get back to playing tournaments as soon as possible," tournament director Bob Moran said in a statement.

"We wish him the best with his recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to Cincinnati in the future."

The 23-year-old Spaniard last played at the Barcelona Open, then missed the French Open and the entire grass-court season, including Wimbledon.

He won last year's â€ŒCincinnati title after Italian world No.1 Jannik Sinner retired from the final.

Alcaraz is entered to compete at Flushing Meadows in New York later this month. Recent photos and videos on social media have shown the seven-time grand slam winner on the practice courts, so it was thought he would be ready to play the ATP Masters 1000 event in Ohio that begins on August 11.

With Reuters.