Carlos Alcaraz finally returns to action, named in the starting list for the Cincinnati Open

Carlos Alcaraz is set to make his long-awaited return to competitive tennis after being named in the official starting list for the Cincinnati Open, which is scheduled to take place from August 13-23. The tournament is expected to witness the Spaniard’s first appearance since April, when a wrist problem forced him to withdraw from the ATP Tour.

The 23-year-old injured himself during the Barcelona Open and subsequently missed a significant part of the season. The setback knocked him out of several events, including the Madrid Open, Italian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Alcaraz entered many of those tournaments among top contenders, making his absence one of the biggest stories of the year.

His time off the court coincided with a dominant run by world number one Jannik Sinner, who took advantage of the Spaniard’s absence to strengthen his grip on the top flight in men’s tennis. However, Alcaraz’s return comes at a crucial time in the calendar as players begin preparations for the final Grand Slam of the season. Carlos Alcaraz has been named to the starting list for the Cincinnati Open. Courtesy: Cincinnati Open

Tournament organizers fielded defending champion Cincinnati, although his participation is subject to medical clearance. Alcaraz won the title in Ohio last year, adding another prestigious trophy to a rapidly growing collection that already includes several thousand Grand Slam and Masters crowns.

OPEN KEY TEST IN FRONT OF US

The Cincinnati Masters will serve as an important opportunity for Alcaraz to rediscover his rhythm before this summer’s US Open begins. After spending months on the sidelines, the former world number one will be eager to regain her competitive edge against some of the strongest players on the circuit.

Despite his young age, Alcaraz has already established himself as one of the sport’s biggest stars. The Spaniard has seven major titles and eight ATP Masters 1000 trophies to his name, while also becoming one of the youngest players to complete a career Grand Slam.

The tournament is expected to feature a star-studded line-up, with Sinner and Novak Djokovic among the entries. Sinner in particular comes in exceptional form after winning all five Masters 1000s this season and retaining the Wimbledon crown.

With the US Open looming, Alcaraz’s comeback adds another layer of intrigue to the North American hard-court swing and could set the stage for a new chapter in his rivalry with Sinner.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

Jul 17, 2026 11:02 AM IST