Carlos Alcaraz is set to make his long-awaited return from a wrist injury at the US Open. (Getty Images: Mark Avellino/Anadolu)
Carlos Alcaraz is set to end a four-month absence when he returns to the upcoming US Open.
Since beginning 2026 with the Australian Open title, Alcaraz's year has been cruelled by a wrist injury.
He will be in line to win the record winner's prize of $US5.5 million ($7.7 million).
Carlos Alcaraz is set to return to action at the US Open, ending four months of injury torment, and will be back competing for a record grand slam winner's prize of $US5.5 million ($7.7 million) in New York.
The news of the seven-time grand slam winner's comeback at Flushing Meadows will be music to the ears of former Australian Open boss Craig Tiley, who has been able to begin his reign in charge of the US Open by announcing unprecedented riches to the players.
Seven-time grand slam champion Alcaraz has not played since April due to a concerning wrist injury.
He announced his return on Thursday in unusual fashion, with the help of football journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Romano, who is usually breaking news of big football transfers, used his catchphrase, "Here we go," to announce Alcaraz's return on Instagram, while the reigning champ repeated the message on X.
Alcaraz, who started the year by winning the Australian Open, has not played since withdrawing from the Barcelona Open in April. He has missed both the French Open and Wimbledon while his great rival, Jannik Sinner, has largely dominated.
Now he is fit to return to the scene of his first grand slam triumph in 2022, when he became the youngest man to reach world number one in the rankings.
Alcaraz's return is fantastic news for Tiley, the former Tennis Australia CEO who has taken up the equivalent job at the US Tennis Association (USTA) and has been able to announce an overall prize fund of $US108 million — the first time the $US100m barrier has been broken at a slam.
Alcaraz's 2026 season has been cruelled by a wrist injury. (Getty Images: Quality Sport Images/Alvaro Medranda)
It is the biggest prize pot in the sport's history and represents a 20 per cent rise for the second consecutive year.
"This is a significant first step in a multi-year investment in athletes as the US Open continues to be the best economic opportunity for players and the most valuable platform in tennis for players, fans and partners," Tiley said.
