Former British No. 1 sends Carlos Alcaraz a blunt warning over comeback: "He can't have any doubts"

Sunday, 26 July 2026 at 15:06

Carlos Alcaraz pointing his finger behind his ear

Carlos Alcaraz is edging closer to his long-awaited return after more than four months on the sidelines, but former British No. 1 Kyle Edmund believes the Spaniard cannot afford to rush the process. Speaking exclusively to Tennis365, Edmund warned that confidence—not just physical recovery—will determine whether the world No. 3 is truly ready to compete again.

Alcaraz has not played since injuring his right wrist during his opening-round victory at the Barcelona Open in April. The setback forced him to miss the remainder of the clay season, Wimbledon and the Canadian Open, with Cincinnati emerging as the most likely venue for his comeback ahead of the US Open.

Having experienced wrist problems himself late in his career, Edmund understands how difficult the recovery can be. The former world No. 14 believes the biggest challenge is making sure there is complete trust in the injured joint before returning to competition.

That, he says, is especially true for a player like Alcaraz, whose explosive style leaves little room for hesitation.

"He can't have any doubts"

Edmund stressed that Alcaraz's absence suggests the injury has been far more serious than a routine setback. "It doesn't feel like a minor injury; it seems significant because he's had to take serious time out and miss Grand Slams."

The Brit explained to Tennis365 that Grand Slam tournaments are the defining events of a top player's career, making any decision to skip them particularly significant. "When you're missing Grand Slams, that's a proper thing. Those guys, that's their career: winning Slams."

Carlos Alcaraz played his last tournament in Barcelona Open back in April.

More importantly, Edmund believes Alcaraz must return only when he is completely confident in his wrist. "You've got to make sure they're right when you come back. And there's a confidence thing to let go, as well."

That confidence, according to Edmund, is inseparable from the way the Spaniard plays. "The way he plays is so explosive and physical that he can't have any doubts in his head. He's got to be able to trust his body."

Edmund added that Alcaraz has handled the situation well by remaining relatively private throughout his rehabilitation. "I think publicly he's being quite reserved with it — rightfully so. It's his personal thing."

Wrist injuries can linger

Edmund's warning comes from personal experience. Injuries ultimately disrupted the final years of his own career before he retired in 2025, including a wrist issue that he admits came as an unexpected setback. "I had a wrist injury at the back end of my career. I never had any wrist injuries before."

The former Australian Open semi-finalist also questioned whether the tennis balls currently used across the tour could be contributing to the growing number of arm and wrist injuries, although he stopped short of drawing firm conclusions.

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For now, Alcaraz's focus remains on completing his recovery rather than rushing back. Reports from Spain suggest the 23-year-old is expected to make a decision on his Cincinnati participation after another week of increased training, with the US Open remaining the primary objective.

Edmund hopes that return comes soon—but only when there is complete confidence that the wrist is ready. "Hopefully he can get there, because the game's better with him."

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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