Alcaraz drops fresh hints of a U.S. hard‑court comeback
The Spaniard adopts root‑to‑tip beached cornrow braids and his night outfit for competing at the US Open will be very NBA‑inspired.
Carlos Alcaraz keeps signaling that his return to the ATP Tour is getting closer — and all signs point to the upcoming North American hard‑court swing.
On Wednesday, the 23‑year‑old Spaniard posted a video showing himself hitting freely with his right arm, the first time he’s looked fully unrestricted since injuring his wrist.
Then on Thursday, he shared photos of a new look: tight beach‑style, cornrow braids, a hairstyle deeply rooted in American pop culture and often seen around summer tournaments in the U.S.
Adding fuel to the comeback buzz, new images surfaced of Alcaraz posing in what appears to be his US Open night‑session outfit — a basketball‑inspired design that feels like a nod to the New York Knicks, the reigning NBA champions.
A possible return timeline
If everything continues progressing smoothly, Alcaraz — now 107 days removed from the wrist injury that sidelined him — is expected to reappear at the Cincinnati Masters 1000, running August 13–23. The event would serve as his tune‑up for the US Open, scheduled for August 30–September 13.
After New York, his commitments include:
- Laver Cup — September 25–27, where he’ll join Team Europe alongside Rafa Jódar.
- Six Kings Slam — October 21, 22 and 24, an exhibition event in Riyadh.
- Potential travel with Spain to Chile for the Davis Cup qualifying round, held September 17–20.
The rest of his global schedule
Beyond those commitments, Alcaraz’s fall calendar could include:
- ATP 500 Tokyo — September 30–October 6
- Shanghai Masters 1000 — October 7–18
- Paris Masters 1000 — November 2–8
- ATP Finals Turin — November 15–22
- Davis Cup Finals in Bologna — November 23–29, if Spain qualifies.
Across the tour — from fellow players to journalists, ATP staff, and tournament organizers — everyone is eager to see Alcaraz back. His energy, explosiveness, and star power have been sorely missed.
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