Carlos Alcaraz has won his race to be fit for the U.S. Open, confirming his return to the ATP Tour after a four-month absence.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion has not competed since April while dealing with an ongoing right wrist injury.
But Alcaraz turned to an unlikely source to announce his comeback, enlisting football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano and his trademark “Here we go” catchphrase.
“Here we go,” Alcaraz posted on X alongside a U.S. flag, confirming he will return at the U.S. Open.
Romano later announced on Instagram: “Here we go! Carlos Alcaraz will return to the tour at the U.S. Open after spending four months sidelined with a right wrist injury.”
“Ready to come back.”
A wrist problem forced Alcaraz to miss the defense of his French Open title and Wimbledon before he pulled out of the Cincinnati Open at the start of August. But the 23-year-old will step back onto the court at Flushing Meadows later this month.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Open has announced another bumper increase in prize money for this month’s tournament.
An overall prize fund of $108 million is the biggest in the sport’s history and represents a 20% rise for the second consecutive year.
The winners of the singles titles will each receive $5.5 million, while first-round prize money has also been increased.
Tournament organizers will hope they have done enough to stave off the type of player protests that took place at both the French Open and Wimbledon.
A group of leading players, including world No. 1s Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, has been engaged in a behind-the-scenes battle with the major tournaments, dubbed Project RedEye, over the last 18 months regarding prize money levels and various other complaints.
At the French Open, they restricted their pre-tournament media appearances to 15 minutes each before following suit at Wimbledon, despite welcoming a 20% increase in prize money.
They canceled plans to continue their protest during the first week of the tournament following discussions. Along with the prize money announcement from New York, the Grand Slam tournaments also jointly confirmed the introduction of a Grand Slam Player Advisory Council.
One of the players’ chief complaints has been the lack of a meaningful say in decision-making, and the slams said the new council would serve as “the forum for direct communication, feedback and collaboration between the Grand Slams and players.”
The body will launch following the U.S. Open, which runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 13, with interested players invited to apply.
It will also be the forum for discussions about contributions to player welfare, which is the third major strand of the players’ discontent.
The U.S. Open’s prize money includes a $2 million contribution to a new U.S. Open player support program.
New United States Tennis Association chief executive Craig Tiley, who recently moved from Tennis Australia, said: “This is a significant first step in a multiyear investment in athletes as the U.S. Open continues to be the best economic opportunity for players and the most valuable platform in tennis for players, fans and partners.
“We are proud to deliver record-setting prize money and expanded player benefits as well as providing a new platform to work together with players.”
Regarding the new council, Wimbledon chair Debbie Jevans said: “We have listened to the players’ desire for a greater voice, and this advisory council is an important step toward a stronger relationship between the Grand Slams and the players.
“We look forward to working together to elevate the player experience, further enhance the Grand Slam tournaments and ensure the sport continues to thrive.”
