Greg Rusedski Thinks Carlos Alcaraz Will Eventually Withdraw From US Open If He Skips Cincinnati

Carlos Alcaraz has been on the sidelines since the first round of the Barcelona Open because he injured his right wrist and ended up missing quite a few tournaments, including the French Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz recently withdrew from the Canadian Open but is scheduled to play at the Cincinnati Masters, where last year he received the walkover from Jannik Sinner in the final.

Alcaraz last made a public appearance at the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. And there he was spotted wearing a protective brace on his wrist, and this raised doubts about whether his wrist had completely healed. Greg Rusedski believes Alcaraz would end up withdrawing from the US Open if he misses the Cincinnati Masters.

To have any chance of competing in the US Open, he has to play in Cincinnati. If he plays in Cincinnati and his wrist holds up, it will be fantastic news for our sport, because we undoubtedly need him back.  If he doesn’t play in Cincinnati, we know he won’t compete in the US Open, and he would have been away from tennis for a long time.

Greg Rusedski said on his Off Court with Greg podcast

Rusedski also believes it’s easier for the WTA players in Majors compared to the men because they don’t have to play the five-setters. And so Alcaraz would be taking a huge risk if he directly enters New York without some match practice.

It is a bit easier for women because when they reach the major tournaments, it is like a normal week with a guaranteed day off each week, best of three sets. Making the leap to best-of-five sets is challenging for men.

Greg Rusedski added

Alcaraz lifted his second US Open title last year with a four-set win over defending champion Sinner. It was here back in 2022 that the 23-year-old clinched a Grand Slam title for the first time in his career.

Sadio Doumbia on what would happen if Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner pair up for doubles

The ATP wants to reduce the doubles size as well as the prize money to the utter disappointment of those who play the format, as many of them believe the reason is due to the lack of marketing from the ATP Tour. Sadio Doumbia, the French doubles ace who clinched the Nordea Open alongside compatriot Fabien Reboul, explains why doubles’ popularity is declining.

Doumbia is convinced the tennis world will be focusing on doubles instead of singles if Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz pair up.

Today, what sells are the great champions: Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, or the players from the host country. Location also matters, of course. People also go to Roland Garros or Wimbledon for the charm of the place, and the stands are always full. What generates revenue are the tournaments and the stars. If Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz played doubles together tomorrow, everyone would go see them instead of a singles between two top 20 players.

Sadio Doumbia said (via L’Equipe)

Alcaraz and Sinner have never played doubles against each other. But in singles, the seven-time Grand Slam champion holds a 10-7 head-to-head lead, though he lost their last two meetings, including this year’s Monte Carlo final.

Sinner won in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, and also completed the Sunshine Double to improve his winning streak in Masters 1000 to 34 matches. But because he withdrew from the Canadian Open, he missed a chance to bid for the Golden Masters.

Sinner won this event in 2023 but skipped it last year. He was last seen in action at Wimbledon, which he won by defeating Alexander Zverev.

Also read: Zeynep Sonmez Opens Up About Harsh Realities of Life on Tour: “I Was Home for 50 Days Last Year”