“It gives me more questions than answers”: Greg Rusedski raises fresh Carlos Alcaraz US Open doubts after worrying practice footage
ATPSunday, 12 July 2026 at 20:30
Carlos Alcaraz’s return to competition remains uncertain after the Spaniard was recently ruled out of the Canadian Open, with his comeback timeline still depending on his recovery from the wrist injury that has kept him away from the tour since the clay-court season. While reports have suggested that Alcaraz could potentially return at the Cincinnati Open before the US Open, there is still no official confirmation from his team.
The four-time Grand Slam champion has been working on his comeback and recently shared footage from a training session, but the images sparked more questions than answers for former world No. 4 Greg Rusedski. The British tennis analyst admitted that, based on what he saw, he remains unsure whether Alcaraz will be ready to compete at Grand Slam intensity in New York.
Speaking on Off Court With Greg Rusedski, the former Wimbledon finalist analysed Alcaraz’s practice footage and explained why he believes the Spaniard’s return is still surrounded by uncertainty. Rusedski stressed that Alcaraz is clearly making an effort behind the scenes, but he questioned whether the level of preparation currently shown is enough for a player who relies on explosive movement and physical dominance.
Rusedski’s comments come at a crucial moment for Alcaraz, who has already missed several major tournaments this season, including Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Although the Spaniard’s absence has opened the door for players like Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev, the focus remains on when one of tennis’ biggest stars will be ready to return.
Greg Rusedski explains why Carlos Alcaraz’s comeback footage worries him
Rusedski’s biggest concern came from the intensity of Alcaraz’s training session. The former British player pointed out that the Spaniard appeared to be carefully managing his movements rather than fully testing his game, something that could be understandable during rehabilitation but raises doubts about whether he can immediately return to five-set competition.
“I would be shocked if he's playing the US Open because what I noticed looking at the video footage, he’s hitting some light forehands, some light backhands, barely hitting the ball, doing movement patterns.”
Carlos Alcaraz gets medical attention for his wrist during a match against Virtanen in the Barcelona Open
The former top-10 player also focused on Alcaraz’s serving, one of the key areas to monitor after a wrist problem. Rusedski noted that the practice footage did not show the Spaniard fully hitting serves, suggesting that there could still be limitations before he is ready to compete again.
“When he was serving, did you realize he didn't hit one serve? So he was doing the full motion and landing, letting the ball drop and then restarting the motion. And to me, to put out a video like that, I guess it gets you the publicity and says, look, I'm working hard to try to get back. But it gives me more questions than answers.”
Rusedski admitted that social media footage can sometimes be difficult to interpret, leaving open the possibility that Alcaraz’s team may not be showing the full picture of his recovery. However, from his perspective as both a former player and coach, the current images suggest that there is still work to be done before Alcaraz can return to elite-level competition.
“Social media is a funny thing, and you don't know the real reasons for them posting that video. It could have been a promotional thing. It could have been to show that he's working hard behind the scenes. It could be to throw his opponents.”
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Rusedski explains why tennis needs Carlos Alcaraz back
Beyond the uncertainty surrounding the US Open, Rusedski also highlighted the impact Alcaraz’s absence has had on men’s tennis. The Spaniard’s rivalry with Sinner became one of the defining stories of recent seasons, producing some of the most memorable matches on the ATP Tour.
Rusedski admitted that while the current generation continues to deliver high-quality tennis, Alcaraz’s presence is essential because of the level of excitement and attention he brings to the sport. “We miss him. Let's be honest. That Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry was unbelievable for those two years.”
The former Wimbledon finalist specifically referenced their dramatic French Open battle as one of the greatest matches he has watched, explaining why Alcaraz’s return is important not only for the player himself but also for the future of men’s tennis.
“That French Open match was the match of the, probably at the French Open that I, that is my favourite match of all time. Saving the match points that went with Sinner, it was just the most incredible match.”
However, despite wanting to see Alcaraz back on court, Rusedski insisted that the Spaniard should not rush his comeback. With the US Open approaching, the priority should be making sure he returns fully fit rather than risking another setback.
“If he needs to take even the whole year off, but can come back at the end of the season fully fit, that's a positive. So take as long as you need. Don't risk it.”
For now, Alcaraz’s participation in Cincinnati or the US Open remains uncertain and will depend on his medical progress. But according to Rusedski, the key issue is not simply getting back on court — it is ensuring that when Alcaraz returns, he is ready to compete at the level that made him one of tennis’ biggest stars.
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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