Carlos Alcaraz's recovery from a wrist injury continues to keep him away from competitive tennis, with a return to play still weeks away. The Spanish phenom last competed in the opening round of the Barcelona Open, where he showed visible discomfort before withdrawing from the tournament. His prolonged absence has now stretched for 114 days, leading to potential concerns about competitive rust heading into major events like the US Open.
Alcaraz has been seen in training sessions, growing out his hair during his time away from the court. However, a competitive return is not imminent. Medical advice suggests that allowing wrist injuries sufficient time to heal is crucial to prevent recurrence. "The biggest risk of injury is a previous injury - if you have had it once, you are more likely to have it in the future," noted one analysis of wrist injuries in tennis. While players can recover over a period of months, the pressure to compete for ranking points and income can pose a risk to a full recovery. Some wrist injuries can become chronic if not managed properly.
The psychological impact of a wrist injury can also be significant. For a joint so integral to a player's technique, experiencing pain can make it difficult to fully trust the wrist again once a player attempts to return to the court. As Sir Andy Murray, who experienced wrist injuries himself, has noted, the mental struggle to overcome the memory of pain is a considerable challenge. The wrist's role in executing shots, particularly those requiring fine control like dropping the ball or managing fast, high incoming shots, means players must regain full confidence in the injured area to perform at their highest level.