Overview
- Alcaraz will return to Grand Slam singles play to defend his title against Roman Safiullin on Monday, August 31 as the second match on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
- He missed about four to four-and-a-half months with a right-wrist injury that sidelined him from Roland Garros and Wimbledon before this New York comeback.
- In the build-up he used closed-door and reduced indoor practices and played a mixed doubles match with Serena Williams, from which he and his partner were eliminated.
- At the US Open media day Alcaraz said the wrist is fine and that he and his team feel he is ready, while warning that five-set matches remain a specific concern after the long layoff.
- His return affects the draw and title race because he is defending champion and a top-ranked player, and his fitness will shape whether rivals such as Novak Djokovic see a clearer path deep into the tournament.