Carlos Alcaraz's comeback delayed again after missing Canadian Open entry list

Friday, 10 July 2026 at 02:30

Carlos Alcaraz did not appear in the announcement of the Canadian Open entry list, meaning that, for now, the seven-time Grand Slam champion's time away from the courts continues to be extended.

The Spaniard has been away from competition since mid-April, when he withdrew before his second-round match at the Barcelona Open. At the time, he held a 22-3 record for the season and had already claimed two titles: the Australian Open — completing the Career Grand Slam — and, weeks later, the ATP 500 Qatar Open.

However, a right arm injury ruled him out of the remainder of the clay swing, and shortly afterwards he announced his withdrawal from the grass swing as well — including Wimbledon. It has now been almost three months since Alcaraz last competed, and the news of his absence from Canada will further extend his time away from the tour.

The tournament — which will be held in Montreal this year — will take place between August 1 and August 13, and has announced its entry list, featuring the biggest names in the draw such as Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic. However, Alcaraz was not among the players announced, meaning that for the third consecutive year he will miss the first Masters 1000 event of the North American hard-court swing.

Carlos Alcaraz absent from Canadian Open entry list as injury layoff continues

If there had initially been speculation that Alcaraz could make his return in Canada — opening his hard-court campaign there — his absence from the entry list ultimately confirms that he will remain away from the courts for a few more weeks. However, according to Punto de Break, the plan from Alcaraz's camp is now focused on making his return at the Cincinnati Open a couple of weeks later.

The Spanish outlet reported that the Spaniard will undergo a medical examination this Friday, July 10, in Barcelona, which will determine whether Alcaraz is ready to resume full training without any issues. Alcaraz's team is optimistic that, following the doctor's approval, the final preparations for the World No. 2's return can finally begin.

At this stage, Alcaraz is not travelling to Canada because his recovery is not yet advanced enough for him to feel truly competitive. The main objective is now to return at the Cincinnati Open — the week before the US Open. It would be his only warm-up tournament before travelling to defend his title at Flushing Meadows, the fourth Grand Slam of the season.

Cincinnati Open emerges as Alcaraz's target for long-awaited comeback

Alcaraz's schedule now means that, provided there are no setbacks over the coming weeks, there would be approximately one month remaining before the young Spaniard returns to competition.

The Cincinnati Open — a tournament where he is the defending champion — will begin its main draw on Thursday, August 13.

Alcaraz's position as World No. 2 is currently under threat due to Alexander Zverev's strong Wimbledon campaign. Should the German reach the final, he would overtake the Spaniard in the rankings, dropping Alcaraz to World No. 3.

In addition, Alcaraz has a significant number of ranking points to defend during the latter part of the season, following his outstanding 2025 campaign in which he won consecutive titles at the Cincinnati Open, the US Open and the Japan Open, while also reaching the ATP Finals championship match.

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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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