Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz faces a pivotal fitness test at the Cincinnati Masters after nearly four months out with a right wrist injury, with former world number four Greg Rusedski warning the tournament will determine whether the two-time Grand Slam champion can play the US Open.
Alcaraz, from Murcia, has not competed since 15 April, when he injured his right wrist during his first appearance at the Barcelona Open (Conde de Godo). The setback has already forced him out of six major events: Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros, Queen’s, Wimbledon and the National Bank Open in Canada, all part of the heart of the ATP calendar.
Rusedski: ‘He must play Cincinnati to have any chance’
Speaking on the “Off Court” podcast, British former player Greg Rusedski was clear that Alcaraz’s prospects in New York hinge on whether he takes to the court in Ohio.
“For Alcaraz to have any chance of playing at the US Open, he has to play in Cincinnati,” Rusedski said, describing the ATP Masters 1000 event as “decisive” for the Spaniard’s season.
“If he plays in Cincinnati and his wrist holds up, that will be great news for our sport; because we definitely need him back,” he added, underlining how much the men’s game has missed the 21‐year‐old during his enforced lay-off.
Despite Alcaraz being named on the entry list for the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, his participation is far from guaranteed and will depend on how his recovery progresses in the coming weeks. The tournament, scheduled to start on 13 August, is widely seen as the most realistic platform for his return to competition.
US Open chances ‘finished’ without Cincinnati
Rusedski was even more categorical when assessing the possibility that Alcaraz skips Cincinnati altogether.
“If he doesn’t play in Cincinnati, we know he won’t play at the US Open, and he will have been out of tennis for far too long,” he said, making clear that the hard-court event represents the last meaningful opportunity to test the wrist before the final Grand Slam of the year in New York.
The British analyst framed Cincinnati as both a fitness check and a competitive rehearsal. Without matches there, he believes Alcaraz would lack the physical readiness and match sharpness required to challenge at Flushing Meadows after such a prolonged absence.
Caution over comeback timetable
Although keen to see Alcaraz back on court, Rusedski stressed that the world number’s recovery cannot be rushed and that the player must respect the medical timeline set for his return.
“He has to be smart; because he needs to build up his training load gradually to a certain level, and he doesn’t want to rush too much,” Rusedski said.
The emphasis, he suggested, should be on long-term health rather than a short-term push to defend ranking points or chase another major title, particularly given the demands of best-of-five-set tennis on hard courts at the US Open.
Cincinnati format seen as helpful
Rusedski also hinted that the structure of the Cincinnati Masters could work in Alcaraz’s favour if he does decide to play, implying that the event’s format might provide a manageable pathway back to top-level competition.
The former British number one did not go into specific details, but his comments suggest that aspects such as scheduling, match spacing or draw conditions could ease the 21‐year‐old’s reintroduction to the tour after his extended break.
For now, Alcaraz’s name remains on the Cincinnati entry list, but his actual return date is tied to one overriding consideration: whether his right wrist can withstand the intensity of training required to compete again at the highest level. Until that becomes clear, the defending US Open champion’s participation at Flushing Meadows hangs in the balance.
