Why did Carlos Alcaraz withdraw from 2026 Cincinnati Open?
(Courtesy : @carlitosalcarazz/Instagram)
The Spaniard is the defending champion at the ATP 1000 event
From becoming the youngest man to bag the career Grand Slam at the 2026 Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz finds himself on the sidelines as he grapples with a wrist injury.
The World No. 2 and reigning Cincinnati Open champion last played at the Barcelona Open in April, where he picked up the injury.
Alcaraz has resumed training while prepping for his comeback but will now play the US Open with no warm-up events leading up to his title defence in New York.
The 23-year-old picked up a career-best eight tour-level titles in 2025. Alcaraz finds himself pegged back this season, winning just two titles so far at Melbourne and Doha before being sidelined for close to five months and counting.
Alexander Zverev’s unexpected loss to Tallon Griekspoor in Montreal keeps Alcaraz’s No. 2 spot in the ATP rankings safe for now. Griekspoor defeated the top seed 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-4 to claim his third Top-5 victory.
Alcaraz’s eight titles in 2025 include Roland Garros and the US Open, and he finished as runner-up at Wimbledon. Following his title run at Flushing Meadows last season, he reclaimed the top spot from Jannik Sinner.
Also Read: Why will Jannik Sinner not participate in Laver Cup 2026?
The World No. 2 also picked up ATP 1000 titles in Madrid and Rome, in addition to his title run in Cincinnati. Skipping the event in Ohio casts fresh doubt on his readiness for the final Grand Slam of the season due to begin later this month.
Alcaraz watched as his chief rival Sinner successfully defended his Wimbledon crown and took over from the Spaniard as World No. 1.
Novak Djokovic, a three-time champ at the Cincinnati Open, will also be skipping the ATP 1000 event. World No. 1 Sinner, however, will make a beeline for the event, which is due to begin August 13th and run through August 23rd.
Why did Carlos Alcaraz withdraw from Cincinnati Open 2026?
The Spaniard has withdrawn from the ATP 1000 event as he’s still recovering from an injury, which he picked up at the Barcelona Open.
When will Carlos Alcaraz return to action?
Alcaraz is expected to return to action directly at the US Open, starting August 23.
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Meet Fazeel—a bibliophile and sci-fi aficionado who devours books and movies alike. His favorite form of exercise? Watching tennis from a perfectly positioned couch. Whether he's lost in a gripping novel or absorbed in a five-hour Grand Slam final, he's all in. Favorite quote: “You cannot be serious” – John McEnroe.