Carlos Alcaraz Opens Up About Injury Fear Ahead of US Open 2026: “Now It’s All in My Head”

Carlos Alcaraz Opens Up About Injury Fear Ahead of US Open 2026: “Now It’s All in My Head”

Carlos Alcaraz has admitted that the biggest challenge in his return to the court is no longer his physical condition, but overcoming the fear that can remain after an injury.

Speaking ahead of the US Open 2026, Alcaraz said he is feeling great after his recent recovery and believes his practice sessions have given him enough confidence to compete at full intensity.

«“I'm feeling great. I think that injury (2024) helped me to know that now it's all in my head. I just gotta trust my team who tell me is gonna be fine.”»

The Spaniard has been away from competitive tennis for around four months because of a wrist injury, making his return at the US Open an especially important moment. Rather than changing the way he plays, Alcaraz says he wants to trust his preparation and continue playing the aggressive, explosive tennis that has made him one of the biggest stars in the sport.

Alcaraz Focused on Leaving Fear Behind

For Alcaraz, returning from injury is not simply about being physically ready. He knows that hesitation can become a major problem when a player starts thinking about the possibility of getting injured again.

That is why the 23-year-old believes trusting his team is crucial.

«“I have to go 100%.”»

Alcaraz explained that his training sessions have been positive and that he now needs to keep those doubts away from his mind and compete naturally.

«“The practices I've done have been good, so I try to stay away from that fear and play normally.”»

His comments underline how important the mental side of his comeback will be. After spending months away from competition, Alcaraz will have to rediscover the freedom and confidence required to play at Grand Slam intensity.

No Change to His Playing Identity

One of the most interesting aspects of Alcaraz's US Open comeback is that he does not intend to change his tennis because of the injury.

He has made it clear that maintaining his identity on court is one of his biggest priorities. The Spaniard says he has not changed his movement or the way he plays, believing that staying true to his natural game is essential.

That could be particularly important in New York, where matches are played in a best-of-five-set format and physical demands can become enormous.

Alcaraz knows there will inevitably be moments during a match when his mind remembers the injury. However, his goal is to prevent those thoughts from controlling his decisions or movements.

A Different Kind of US Open Challenge

The 2026 US Open represents a unique challenge for Alcaraz. He is returning from a lengthy injury layoff, yet he arrives with the experience and confidence of a Grand Slam champion.

Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, Alcaraz is choosing to focus on the work he has already completed.

His message is simple: trust the team, trust the preparation and play without fear.

That mentality could be just as important as his physical condition once he steps onto the court in New York.

After months away from competitive tennis, Alcaraz now has the opportunity to turn his injury comeback into another defining chapter of his career. And if his confidence matches his words, the US Open crowd could see the same fearless Carlos Alcaraz they have come to expect.