Carlos Alcaraz has entered next month's Cincinnati Open as he continues his recovery from a wrist injury, and that puts his US Open preparation firmly under the spotlight. The world number three is the defending champion in Cincinnati, but the bigger story is whether he can be ready to protect his status at the final Grand Slam of the year.
Alcaraz, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, has missed recent tournaments after suffering the injury at the Barcelona Open in April. He withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon, so this latest entry is an important sign that he is moving closer to a return.
Why Cincinnati matters for Alcaraz
The timing is significant. The Canadian Open runs from 2-13 August in Montreal, then the Cincinnati Open follows from 13-23 August, before the US Open begins on 30 August. That leaves Alcaraz with a short window to regain rhythm and prove he is physically ready for the final stretch of the hard-court season.
He will also know the margins are tight at this stage of the year. Last year, Jannik Sinner retired from the Cincinnati final because of illness, underlining how quickly a tournament can turn on fitness and recovery rather than form alone. Alcaraz will hope his own issue is now easing enough for him to compete at full strength.
Raducanu faces a similar race against time
Emma Raducanu is also trying to recover in time for the US Open after missing Wimbledon because of a stress fracture in her lower leg. Her situation is different, but the broader issue is the same: players are running out of time before the season's biggest hard-court event.
For Alcaraz, though, the key question is more straightforward. Cincinnati is the next step, and the US Open is the real target. If he is back and sharp in August, he will remain one of the main names to watch when the Grand Slam begins in New York.
