Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Cincinnati Open
Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to a lingering wrist injury, raising concerns about his participation in the upcoming US Open. This marks a significant setback for the athlete, who has struggled with fitness since his 2026 Australian Open victory.
Why it matters
Alcaraz's absence impacts the competitive landscape of professional tennis and highlights the physical risks associated with high-intensity tournament play.
No one wanted this news, and many did not see it coming as defending Cincinnati Open champion Carlos Alcaraz was seemingly on his way back to competitive tennis . Recent videos showed Alcaraz's forehand with a healing wrist looking strong.
However, there has always been a concern about the reps of match and tournament play with the wrist injury that has sidelined him for months.
Alcaraz withdrew from the Cincinnati Open on Tuesday, Aug. 4, and the US Open could be in jeopardy, too.
Many thought Cincinnati's best-of-three-set matches would give Alcaraz some confidence and insight into how his wrist would perform in New York's best-of-five-set matches.
With Cincinnati out, there is a good chance that Alcaraz will miss his third Grand Slam of the year. He won the 2026 Australian Open, completing the career Grand Slam, but has been sidelined since.
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