Carlos Alcaraz says injury uncertainty led to ‘intrusive thoughts’ ahead of US Open title defence

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Seven-times Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz said coping with “intrusive thoughts” about when he would be able to come back from his injury layoff was the toughest part of his nearly five months away from the tennis tour.

The 23-year-old Spaniard, who became the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam ⁠when he claimed his seventh major title at this year’s Australian Open, returns to the US Open as defending champion but with limited match practice.

Alcaraz missed most of the clay season and was also forced to sit out the French Open, Wimbledon ⁠and the North American hardcourt swing due to ⁠the injury to his wrist.

He made his competitive return earlier this week in the US Open mixed doubles alongside 23-times singles Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, where he looked understandably rusty and particularly tentative on serve.

He said ahead of beginning his titlte defence: “The first month ⁠was kind of difficult for me because I couldn’t do anything with my right arm. ⁠It was tough.

“But at the same time, I enjoyed my time with family, friends and staying at home.

“But once I started to practice a little bit, that I didn’t ‌know when I’m going to start, that thoughts are ‌really difficult to deal with, because I don’t know if I’m going to be ready for Cincinnati, for US Open, or I’m going to miss the whole American swing.

“But finally, here we are. My goal was ⁠try to be healthy as soon as possible and try not to miss more competitions. So I would say that intrusive thoughts were the most difficult things to deal with in this process.”

Alcaraz made his return after nearly five months off in the US Open mixed doubles tournament (Reuters)

The second seed opens his campaign against Russia’s Roman Safiullin, ranked 98th in the world, and could face either Arthur Fils or Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals before a potential semi-final clash with 24-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic, 2021 ‌US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, Frances Tiafoe or Brandon Nakashima.

The tournament will also be missing world number one Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz’s biggest rival, after the Italian withdrew with a persistent ⁠right knee injury.

“We are not going to see each other for about six ⁠months or seven months now. So it’s kind of a weird situation,” Alcaraz said. “I just wish him all ‌the best. Hopefully a really great recovery and see him back on ‌court at his best once again.”

The men’s and women’s singles main draws get under way on Sunday.

Reuters