Jannik Sinner has successfully defended his title as the 2026 Wimbledon champion, securing the trophy for the second consecutive year. However, his path to victory was arguably eased by the continued absence of one of men’s tennis’ brightest stars, Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz and Sinner have dominated the men’s tennis scene in recent years, their intense rivalry driving them to excel at the highest level. Yet, fans have been denied the chance to witness their clashes on the Grand Slam stage this season, primarily due to Alcaraz’s ongoing injury struggles.
Alcaraz’s Rehabilitation Hits Roadblocks
The 23-year-old Spaniard has been sidelined since sustaining a wrist injury at the Barcelona Open in mid-April. Specifically, an inflamed tendon sheath in his right wrist has kept him off the court. This ailment forced him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon, two of the sport’s most prestigious events.
Despite efforts to recover, Alcaraz has encountered multiple setbacks during his rehabilitation, which has slowed his return more than anticipated. His inability to regain full fitness led to his withdrawal from the upcoming Canadian Open, scheduled to start on August 3.
This timeline is especially concerning as it places his potential comeback just weeks ahead of the 2026 US Open, set to commence on August 31 in Flushing Meadows.
On July 9, Alcaraz posted a video showing him engaging in light training, signaling gradual progress. Nonetheless, experts and former players like Boris Becker have expressed doubts about the Spaniard’s readiness, suggesting he remains “still far off” from returning to competitive play.
Reports from Tennis365 highlight a growing concern that Alcaraz might not be able to participate in the US Open, where he is the reigning champion. This situation leaves the tennis world eagerly awaiting updates on his recovery and future participation in major tournaments.