Just In: Difference between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz highlighted with big US Open decisions

Some of the biggest names in tennis have warned Carlos Alcaraz against making a comeback from his wrist injury at the US Open, but the Spanish superstar looks set to defy that advice after he declared his intention to play in New York.

Alcaraz has not played a competitive match since injuring his wrist at the Barcelona Open in April, with former US Open champion Andy Roddick and Flushing Meadows finalist Greg Rusedski among those warning the Spaniard against making a return in a best-of-five-set tournament.

After he pulled out of this week’s Cincinnati Open after conceding his wrist had not fully healed, Alcaraz has since confirmed that he will play in the US Open mixed doubles alongside Serena Williams.

He has also suggested he will play in the singles in what would be his comeback event, with 1997 US Open runner-up Rusedski confused by his decision.

“Why would you start back with a wrist injury in three out of five sets?” asked Rusedski on the latest edition of his podcast.

“Maybe he’s thinking three out of five sets, I can win him in straight sets, I can build myself up, I got a day off in between every match, but I think it’s a huge risk. I would be very surprised if he plays in the singles.

I hope he’s able to play the US Open, but I’m not sure this is the smartest thing, unless it’s just a publicity stunt and he’s just gonna play in the mixed doubles and then not even play the singles. Who knows? We don’t know until he shows up in the blocks for the opening first round match in New York what’s gonna happen.”

Alcaraz’s comeback announcement came shortly after his great rival Jannik Sinner confirmed he will not be taking any chances with his long-term health, as he has opted to miss the final Grand Slam of 2026.

It was hard to overlook the contrast between the decisions made by the two biggest names in men’s tennis.

We are not in the camp of either player and do not know the fine details of their injury issues, but Alcaraz and Sinner are still at the start of their careers in tennis and they could be challenging for the game’s top titles for a decade and more.

Playing in this Grand Slam at the end of 2026 will not define their careers or their legacies, but if Alcaraz plays in the singles and does fresh damage to his wrist, what has to be a gamble to return in a best-of-five-set Grand Slam event could result in long-term damage.

By contrast, Sinner is playing the long game and accepting that pushing his body to the limit for one tournament is not the priority at this stage of his tennis journey.

This is not the first time the two men who have dominated the Grand Slam tournaments for the last two years have thrown up questions about their scheduling, with Sinner taking a more cautious approach than Alcaraz.

The Italian does not play as many exhibition events as Alcaraz and he also appears to have more focus on his profession compared to you a young rival who makes no secret of his desire to party and let his hair down in between big tournaments.

That mindset was a bone of contention between Alcaraz and his former coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and may have been a factor in their shock split at the end of last year.

If Alcaraz is standing on Arthur Ashe Stadium court with another US Open win on his record at the end of this tournament, his decision to play in New York will have been justified.

Anything less and the question marks over his scheduling will be thrown in his direction once again.