There is still some time before the world number two
Carlos Alcaraz can make an eagerly anticipated return back onto the court following a dreadfully timed wrist injury. The recovery seems to be going well with fellow Spaniard
David Ferrer sharing some positive news.
Alcaraz had begun the year in fine fashion, becoming the youngest player to complete the career Grand Slam at the Australian Open before winning the Qatar Open ahead of the Sunshine swing. He would lose his first match of 2026 in the semi-finals of Indian Wells before Sebastian Korda stunned him in Miami.
A trip back to Europe was a much needed one with clay the next surface on mind. A favourable one, Alcaraz was hopeful of winning numerous titles with the defence of his Monte-Carlo, Rome and Roland Garros titles all priority. He would go on to lose in Monaco to his main rival Jannik Sinner who kept up his insane Masters 1000 winning streak.
Alcaraz opted to compete on home soil in Barcelona, seemingly wanting to play a whole clay swing. He lasted just one match in Catalonia, winning his first round match before disaster struck. He had been treated for a
wrist injury that grew ever more painful. He pulled out of the tournament and the Madrid Open for the second year in a row. Rome and Roland Garros followed swiftly after before Wimbledon became the latest casualty in painful circumstances.
Update on Alcaraz injury
The 23-year-old has celebrated his birthday and spent some much-needed down time with his family relaxing and winding down following a busy period on court. He also posted a video of himself training on a court, using his left arm to hit the ball while protecting his injured right wrist.
This is not the first time injury has affected his schedule. Following the ATP Finals loss to Sinner at the end of last year, the plan was to join up with the Davis Cup team as they competed in the finals in Bologna. Unfortunately, he was forced to pull out with a weakened Spanish side losing to Italy in the final.
The captain, Ferrer, will be hoping Alcaraz is available to represent his country on the big stage once more. He is in regular contact with the seven-time Grand Slam champion and shared a positive update on how he is coping. “Well, stay calm. Rest assured that everything is going well,” he assured tennis fans while speaking to
AS.
“The important thing is that Carlos recovers completely, one day at a time. There’s no need to overthink it. It’s an injury that needs to be treated carefully, and the good thing is that Carlos is mentally very strong and is in good hands.”
Carlos Alcaraz will be hopeful of a return to the North American hardcourt swing
High hopes for Jodar, but not expected rise this fast
Spain next compete in the Davis Cup away to Chile. If they win, they will be back in the Davis Cup Finals. Alcaraz will be very much wanted to compete, but if other things get in the way then there is still a whole load more talents coming through.
Most notably
Rafael Jodar, who has had a tremendous clay swing. He won the Grand Prix Hassan II for his first ever ATP title before reaching the quarter-finals in the Masters 1000 events in Madrid and Rome before repeating that in Paris.
Ferrer spoke positively about the 19-year-old. "Well, I have fond memories of Rafa because he was a sparring partner, and we've stayed in touch ever since. He was always very professional, very polite, and I liked him a lot on a personal level, and I don't need to tell you about his tennis skills, he's already proving them."
From sparring partner to one of their best players, the former world number three envisioned this rise, but not this quick. "Well, I expected him to be at the top, but not so soon, because it's all happened so fast," he admitted. "He's winning a lot of games in just one year. I think it's important, of course, that he keeps this up, but above all, that he manages his schedule physically."
Spain have won the Davis Cup six times, last coming back in 2019. They will be very much hoping to secure another accolade to their collection with Alcaraz and Jodar key components in this task.