Carlos Alcaraz enters the final Grand Slam tournament of the season at the US Open facing a challenging path on the hard courts of New York, according to tennis coach Rick Macci. Alcaraz returns to competitive play following a wrist injury that sidelined the Spanish star for five months, with his last official appearance dating back to the clay-court swing.
The Road Ahead at Flushing Meadows
According to Rick Macci, who previously coached Venus and Serena Williams, Alcaraz will experience a noticeable lack of match rhythm upon his return. Macci noted via his official X profile that the Spanish player will need time to regain his competitive edge following the prolonged layoff.
https://x.com/RickMacci/status/2093220979493200355
“Carlos tendrá mucho óxido y le tomará de aquí a final de año para limpiar el polvo,” Macci stated regarding the recovery process. “Si sobrevive a su primer partido en Nueva York, para mí será una victoria. Si la muñeca está bien, que comience el regreso definitivo.”
Alcaraz opens his US Open campaign against Russian competitor Roman Safiullin. Given the extended absence from the ATP Tour, Macci argued that the former world number one should not carry the tag of tournament favorite for the Flushing Meadows crown.
“No debería ser favorito para ganar el título porque durante cinco meses ha estado inactivo,” Macci explained. “No se llega a competir sin más, hay que tener confianza y agilidad, y en una competición así vencen los mejores.”
Title Contenders and Tournament Field
With Sinner absent and Alcaraz working through rust from a wrist injury, Macci identifies German player Alexander Zverev as his prime pick to capture the championship trophy.
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