Alcaraz withdraws from Cincinnati Masters, US Open hopes dim

Defending U.S. Open champion Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Masters, casting significant doubt on his ability to compete in New York later this month. The 23-year-old Spaniard, who has not played a competitive match since injuring his right wrist in April, announced his withdrawal from the Cincinnati tournament late Tuesday, August 4. The event, a key warm-up for the U.S. Open, begins on August 13.

Alcaraz is managing tenosynovitis, an accumulation of fluid in the tendon sheath of his wrist, an injury that has kept him out of both the French Open and Wimbledon this year. Despite recently posting videos of himself hitting balls with increased intensity in practice, tournament officials confirmed he is not yet ready for competition. Cincinnati Open tournament director Bob Moran stated the organization wishes Alcaraz the best in his recovery and looks forward to welcoming him back in the future.

The withdrawal presents a major complication for Alcaraz's title defense at the U.S. Open, where main draw play begins on August 30. He has 2,000 ranking points to defend from his 2025 victory over Jannik Sinner in the final. Furthermore, his name is absent from the entry...