Could Alcaraz return to the circuit in Winston-Salem?

The return of Carlos Alcaraz continues to be one of the major topics of conversation this summer, where hope and excitement mix with less optimistic forecasts. Perhaps we have been too bold in viewing the latest videos of the Murcian, training between Alicante and Murcia at an increasingly higher intensity: his smile and joy on the court, along with the variety of exercises shown in his recent videos (training specifically aspects such as volleys) led us to indicate that everything was going full steam ahead... but not enough to return, that is, for the ATP Cincinnati 2026.

With the second Masters 1000 of the tour off the radar, the information coming from Carlos's camp is far from concerning. It is emphasized that Cincinnati was never a certainty, but rather a hope and goal: it was the tournament itself that announced Alcaraz's participation and that, just a few hours ago, confirmed that he would not be arriving after all. Not a single word has come from the mouth of the world number two... and his absence is not due to a relapse, a new physical problem, or any significant concern about being able to compete in New York: it is simply a decision prioritizing a gradual return, agreed upon, and only when the workload beforehand is adequate.

Could Alcaraz return to the circuit before the US Open? Winston-Salem appears as a new option on the horizon

Given the situation, it would be logical for Alcaraz not to return to the circuit (if all goes well, of course) until the US Open 2026. Defending the title in Flushing Meadows is Carlos's final objective and top priority, although not a goal to aspire to under any circumstances: he will only travel to New York if his wrist is in optimal condition. That said, the latest information coming from Murcia points to this optimistic path... and opens a new option in his roadmap.

It is the newspaper LA VERDAD that claims Alcaraz's team is considering reappearing at the Winston-Salem tournament, a 250 category event that takes place in the week prior to the US Open. Carlitos would request a wildcard and become the main attraction of a tournament that sometimes suffers due to its position on the calendar, but that would serve as the perfect springboard for those with little competitive experience who seek a gentle introduction to hard courts before the US Open. This event takes place from August 23 to 29 (Saturday); the US Open would start on Sunday, August 30, leaving little time to rest between one event and the other.

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Alcaraz is already familiar with Winston-Salem: it is a tournament he has played in his career

Appearing in the event held at Wake Forest University (it is worth noting that the facilities, for a 250 category tournament, are of the highest level, situated within a prestigious campus in the U.S. university system) is still a possibility today. An optimistic scenario that would rely on Carlos's on-court progress continuing to be very favorable, with increasingly better sensations when hitting the ball, and with a wrist that responds well to a heavier workload.

For this to happen, Alcaraz would need to have reached nearly 100% beforehand on the training courts. Difficult, but not impossible... and a statement of intent, if positive, for New York; a choice that would demonstrate that Carlos is going all out. It is noteworthy that the Murcian has already played this event once in his career: it was in 2021, when at just 18 years old he reached the semifinals of the tournament (losing to Mikael Ymer). It will bring back good memories, as it was the precursor to his first major performance in a Grand Slam: just days later came that unforgettable match against Stefanos Tsitsipas and his passage to the quarterfinals of the US Open. These were the preliminary steps to the birth of a star... steps that he may walk again in a few weeks.

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