Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Cincinnati Open 2026; forfeits 1,000 ranking points.

Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Cincinnati Open 2026 in bid to return to full fitness for US Open title defence

World No. 2 Alcaraz has not played since April’s Barcelona Open due to a wrist injury, with the target now to be fully fit for the US Open at the end of August.

Carlos Alcaraz will have to wait to return to the tennis court after withdrawing from the Cincinnati Open 2026 .

The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion will not be able to defend his ATP Masters 1000 title, as tournament organisers announced his withdrawal on Tuesday (4 August), a week before the main draw begins.

Alcaraz has not played since April’s Barcelona Open due to a wrist injury , subsequently missing Roland-Garros and Wimbledon . The target is to be fully fit for the US Open , the final major of the season where the 23-year-old is the defending champion.

The Spaniard has been back on the training courts over the past few weeks and is increasing his workload, going from strength exercises to full practices out in Cincinnati. But the Masters tournament has come too soon for the world No. 2.

Alcaraz cedes his 1,000 ranking points from winning the Cincinnati crown last year, and will have the maximum 2,000 points to defend in New York as the gap to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner continues to grow.

Olympic gold medallist Alexander Zverev is also hot on his heels after victory in Paris and a first Wimbledon final. Having jumped back to second in the ATP rankings above Zverev, Alcaraz will drop back to third.

Returning at the hard-court Slam would be a monumental task for Alcaraz, going from no competitive action in four months to best-of-five matches. He would also enter as the third seed, which could result in a semi-final with Sinner at Flushing Meadows.

The Cincinnati Open takes place from 13-23 August, followed by the US Open singles main draw from 30 August to 13 September.

Kateřina Siniaková on finding joy in doubles, Olympic mascots and love for skiing

Emma Raducanu to miss US Open 2026 with stress fracture

Novak Djokovic (SRB) v Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)

This Men’s Singles Gold Medal Match between Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) v Novak Djokovic (SRB), took place on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Roland-Garros, on 04

Novak Djokovic (SRB), won the Gold, with a final score 7:6, 7:6.

Tennis | Cincinnati Open | United States