Carlos Alcaraz confirms he'll be back at US Open — and he chose a football-style way to announce it
ATPThursday, 20 August 2026 at 19:41
Carlos Alcaraz is back — and the announcement came in a way nobody in tennis could have expected. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has confirmed that he will return to competitive tennis at the 2026 US Open, ending a four-month absence caused by a right wrist injury and choosing one of the most recognizable figures in football transfer news to make the announcement.
Fabrizio Romano, the Italian journalist whose “Here We Go!” has become synonymous with major football transfers, posted a graphic and video of Alcaraz on social media confirming the Spaniard's comeback.
For football fans, a Romano announcement is often treated as the final confirmation that a major deal is done. This time, his “Here We Go!” was about a tennis comeback.
“Here we go! Carlos Alcaraz will return to the tour at the US Open after spending four months sidelined with a right wrist injury. Ready to come back,” Romano wrote alongside the announcement.
Alcaraz then embraced the joke, appearing in a video shared through the collaboration post and delivering Romano's trademark phrase himself. “I'm back, here we go,” the Spaniard said, before adding another “Here we go! 🫡” in the comments.}
The unusual announcement quickly attracted attention beyond tennis, with WTA players including Marta Kostyuk and Eva Lys also congratulating Alcaraz in the comments.
Alcaraz returns to defend his US Open title
The announcement confirms that Alcaraz will be back at Flushing Meadows after missing the entire clay-court and grass-court stretches following his last appearance at the Barcelona Open in April. The 23-year-old has been sidelined for around four months, making the US Open his first competitive tournament since the start of the clay season.
His return comes with an immediate challenge: defending the title he won in 2025. Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in last year's final to claim his second US Open crown, having previously won the tournament in 2022.
That makes his comeback particularly significant. Rather than returning at a smaller event to build rhythm, Alcaraz will immediately face the demands of a Grand Slam, potentially playing seven best-of-five matches over two weeks.
The Spaniard has continued training in recent days, with footage showing him striking the ball and progressing toward a full return. However, his lack of competitive matches means questions remain over how quickly he can regain his match sharpness.
There is also uncertainty surrounding the other half of the sport's dominant rivalry. Sinner has not yet confirmed his participation after withdrawing from Cincinnati with a right knee injury, leaving the possibility of the two-time defending US Open champion arriving in New York without his biggest rival — at least for now.
For Alcaraz, though, the message is finally clear. After months away from the Tour, the defending champion is heading back to New York. And this time, tennis got its own “Here We Go.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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