As Wimbledon continues without Carlos Alcaraz, attention is already shifting toward the Spaniard’s anticipated return later this summer, with a leaked US Open outfit generating early discussion among fans.
The world No. 2 has been sidelined since April due to a wrist injury and is not competing at the All England Club, where he was a two-time champion in recent seasons. His absence has altered the dynamics of the grass-court swing, with Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic leading the field in London.
According to reports circulating on social media, a fan account on X (formerly Twitter) published what appears to be Alcaraz’s planned kit for the 2026 US Open, where he is expected to defend his title in New York.
The design shows a dark green tank top with red and black detailing, a noticeable shift from last year’s colour scheme, which featured pink for day sessions and purple for night matches at Flushing Meadows.
Recovery timeline and US Open focus
Alcaraz’s absence from Wimbledon is part of a broader recovery process following inflammation in his wrist tendons, an issue that has required extended rest and immobilisation. While he has avoided surgery, the Spaniard has taken a conservative approach to ensure long-term fitness.
The injury initially forced him to withdraw from the Barcelona Open in April, which subsequently led him to decide to skip the entire clay and grass court season, accumulating three months of absence. His current focus remains the North American hard court swing, with the US Open scheduled from August 30 to September 13.
Although no official return date has been confirmed, Alcaraz could use at least one warm-up event before arriving in New York. The Canadian Open (starting 3 August) and Cincinnati Open (10 August) remain the most likely preparation tournaments, following a similar schedule to previous seasons.
Ranking implications and historical context
Alcaraz remains ranked world No. 2, though his position could come under pressure depending on results at Wimbledon, where Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner are competing for seeding advantages in the latter stages of the tournament.
Despite his absence, the Spaniard’s status at the top of the men’s game remains secure, built on a strong 2024–2025 period that included several titles: US Open and Japan Open at the end of the 2025 season, as well as a final at the ATP Finals, and he began 2026 with a title at the Australian Open – where he completed the Career Grand Slam – and the Qatar Open.
However, he remains a long distance behind Jannik Sinner, and with several points to defend in the closing part of the season, it will be especially difficult for Alcaraz to climb positions in the rankings upon his return, and he will have to focus on staying in the top zone to finish the year without Sinner pulling further away at the top. Currently, more than 3,500 points separate him from the Italian, who continues his campaign at Wimbledon after reaching the quarter-finals of the tournament.
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.