SEPT 25 - 27, 2026 | LONDON
The last time we saw Carlos Alcaraz, it was the middle of the night in New York and he was sporting a smile as wide as the East River. Those of us who were still awake anyway.
Though the Spaniard had just lost what will be remembered as one of the most thrilling matches ever played in the borough of Queens, a four-and-a-half-hour, five-set quarterfinal that lingered until 3:33 am local time, the latest finish in US Open history, he was upbeat. And who could blame him? Alcaraz had just returned from a severe wrist injury, one that had kept him away from his beloved livelihood for what seemed like forever. In his first tournament back, he had reached the last eight.
Before leaving the Ashe Stadium court, he put his bags down and paused to take in the moment; the hardy, vociferous crowd on its collective feet in appreciation.
“I was out for five months without playing an official match. I was struggling a lot during that time, with pain, unsure if I was going to return in time for the US Open,” said Alcaraz, who saw his title defense cut short by eventual first-time major finalist Ben Shelton, 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7). “I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to play normally, if I was going to feel the injury. To be able to play four matches at a pretty good level, and then the quarterfinal against Ben, 7-6 in the fifth, it was a gift for me. I enjoyed it so much. I suffered, but I enjoyed it at the same time. That’s why I smiled when I was walking off the court. I missed that feeling.”
Not that Alcaraz would mind if the matches got started a little earlier in Flushing Meadows. Those late-night/early-morning battles can be tough on the body.
“I think it’s too much,” said Alcaraz at The O2 in London on Wednesday. “A lot of people stayed, but if that match had started at 7 or 8 p.m., at the maximum finishing at 11, the stadium would have been packed. Nobody would have left. A lot of people had to miss that match because of the schedule, because of the time.”
“The quarterfinal against Ben [Shelton], 7-6 in the fifth, it was a gift for me. I suffered, but I enjoyed it at the same time. That’s why I smiled when I was walking off the court. I missed that feeling.” — Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz had had his first hitting session on the signature black Laver Cup court earlier in the day. His practice partner? Team Europe cohort Alexander Zverev, who is coming off a title run at the US Open, his second major trophy of 2026.
“He’s probably the best player in the world right now,” said Alcaraz, 23. “Having him by our side, having him on the team, it’s going to be a great weekend. I missed lifting the trophy last year, so I’m going to do whatever it takes to get it back this year. I can’t wait to play here.”
Captain Yannick Noah and Team Europe came up short in 2025 at the Chase Center in San Francisco, 15-9. Back on home turf, Alcaraz and his teammates are dead-set on exacting some revenge.
“We’re not used to playing team events. When we do, we usually play with players from our country. Now you have the best players in the world by your side,” said Alcaraz. “It’s kind of a weird feeling, but at the same time it’s beautiful.”
