Alcaraz plans more in-season breaks after US Open return — SkimNews
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- Carlos Alcaraz returned to competition at the US Open after a four-month absence from a right wrist injury and advanced to the fourth round Friday with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 victory over Wu Yibing.
- Alcaraz said his body feels good and he has had no setbacks after matches, telling reporters, "It feels like I've been competing the whole time."
- Alcaraz plans to take more in-season breaks next year — not because of physical strain but for mental benefit, saying playing "tournament after tournament" leaves him feeling unprepared for big events.
- The 23-year-old Alcaraz played 80 matches last year, going 71-9 with his seventh major title at the Australian Open before being sidelined by the April injury.
- Alcaraz debuted a white undershirt beneath his sleeveless top because "one shirt was moving around too much" and unveiled an arrow-shooting celebration his brothers chose over dancing.
- Unlike many players worried about season length, Alcaraz said he has no serious ranking or financial concerns if he skips events, adding he wants to play with joy and "miss the tours."
Why it matters: Alcaraz's public endorsement of longer breaks — feasible for him because he lacks the ranking and financial pressures most players face — adds a top-tier voice to complaints about the tour's relentless schedule. At 23 with a 71-9 record and seven majors, he has leverage few peers possess to normalize selective participation on the biggest stages.
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