Carlos Alcaraz Prepares for US Open Title Defense Amid Wrist Injury Concerns
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Published Carlos Alcaraz will start his US Open title defence against Russia's Roman Safiullin in the first serious examination of his fitness following a long-term wrist injury.
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ESPNAlcaraz opens US Open title defense vs. Safiullin Carlos Alcaraz will open the defense of his US Open title against Roman Safiullin, an opponent who made a strong run at Wimbledon while the Spaniard was sidelined with an injury.
The Guardian SportCarlos Alcaraz has been handed a tough draw on his return to singles competition after a four-month injury layoff as he faces the in-form Russian Roman Safiullin in the first round of the US Open.
CBS SportsCarlos Alcaraz's immediately commands the spotlight as the US Open draw delivers a fascinating roadmap toward the season's final Grand Slam championship. After time away from competition with a wrist injury, the seven-time major champion arrives in New York in defense of last year's hard-court title with questions about his ability to rediscover his dominance quickly.
Sky SportsDefending champion Alcaraz will open his campaign against Roman Safiullin with a potential semi-final meeting with history-chasing Novak Djokovic.
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While a large group of players have an opportunity to make a career-defining breakthrough in the men’s draw, it will be difficult for the rank-and-file competitors to stop the strong group of elite players at the top of the women’s draw despite their differing form. Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champion, will begin against Camila Osorio as she also tries to hold on to her No 1 ranking after a difficult few months.
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BBC SportIn the women's draw, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka starts against Colombia's Camila Osorio.
Sky SportsWorld No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who is chasing a hat-trick of US Open titles, starts against Colombian star Camila Osorio.
SMH SportThe women’s draw is similarly wide open, particularly with world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka enduring a form slump and Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina dealing with an ankle injury.
CBS SportsBelarusian Aryna Sabalenka is the No. 1 seed on the women's side and beat American Amanda Anisimova in last year's tournament final, 6-3 7-6 (7-3). Sabalenka has four career slams, but has not captured a major this year.
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The US Open men’s championship race appears to be as open as it has been in years, with Jannik Sinner (knee) withdrawing and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz (wrist) returning for his first event since April.
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ESPNAlcaraz favored at US Open with Sinner injured The return of Carlos Alcaraz and the absence of Jannik Sinner has had a significant influence on US Open betting futures. Alcaraz, the reigning champion, is +250 to retain his title according to DraftKings odds as of midday Thursday.
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Wimbledon semi-finalist Fery missed out on a US Open seeding and has paid the price with a daunting first-round meeting against last year's quarter-finalist Musetti.
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BBC SportFery narrowly missed out on a seeding and, having been drawn against 2025 quarter-finalist Musetti, has received a tough opener as a result.
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Katie Boulter is the only Briton guaranteed a place in the women's draw through her ranking and meets American wildcard Carol Young Suh Lee, who is ranked 143rd in the world.
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Sky SportsKatie Boulter begins her campaign against American wild card Carol Lee, while there are six other Brits chasing a main draw spot in qualifying.
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Despite his long absence, Alcaraz is still seeded second at Flushing Meadows behind Germany's Alexander Zverev, who faces Italy's Lorenzo Sonego in his opening match.
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The Guardian SportBetween the uncertainty surrounding Alcaraz due to his lack of match play and the absence of the world No 1 Jannik Sinner, who was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury, the men’s Flushing Meadows draw is as open as it has been in years. As the second seed, Alcaraz’s section includes both the eighth seed Ben Shelton and the 10th seed Arthur Fils, the winners of the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open respectively, the two ATP Masters 1000 events leading up to the US Open. Fils will face a high-profile first round opponent in the former world No 3, Stefanos Tsitsipas.
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01 CBS Sports Alcaraz's placement headlines a loaded men's bracket of Jannik Sinner (knee), filled with dangerous early-round opponents and emerging contenders eager to capitalize. The women's draw carries similar intrigue, with several title threats facing difficult paths through the opening week at Flushing Meadows.
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02 NDTV Sports Gael Monfils And Elina Svitolina, Only Married Couple In US Open Mixed Doubles Draw, On The Special Moment Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina
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03 SMH Sport The year’s fourth and final grand slam, the US Open, begins on Sunday night (AEST), with de Minaur again headlining the Australian assault as the No.6 seed in a men’s singles draw so far featuring seven compatriots, while Daria Kasatkina leads the country’s five players in the women’s event.
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04 Sky Sports The full draw for the men's and women's singles US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York; watch the US Open on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app
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05 Reuters Sports US Open draw hands Alcaraz, Sabalenka tough tests - Reuters US Open draw hands Alcaraz, Sabalenka tough tests Reuters
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06 The Guardian Sport His opening match against the world No 98 Safiullin, who has risen over 100 places in the world rankings this year after returning from injury and defeated Alcaraz indoors at the Paris Masters in 2023, will be a significant first challenge.
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07 BBC Sport The 23-year-old Spaniard missed this season's French Open and Wimbledon as a result of the issue, which did not require surgery, before making his return to court in the US Open mixed doubles alongside Serena Williams earlier this week.
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