Story perspectives

Alcaraz Returns to Defend US Open Title

8/23/2026

Summary

Alcaraz Returns

Carlos Alcaraz will return to defend his US Open title at the New York main draw.
He missed the French Open and Wimbledon after wrist tendon inflammation began on April 14 at the Barcelona Open.
He withdrew from the Cincinnati Open, citing the same wrist injury.
He captured the 2025 US Open, defeating Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 and earned a $5 million prize.

Summary

Mixed Doubles Begins

The mixed doubles championship begins Aug. 25 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Winners will split a $1 million prize, highlighting the event’s lucrative draw.
Matches use four-game sets, no-ad scoring and a 10-point tiebreak through the semifinals.
Qualifying on Aug. 24 features eight teams battling for two main-draw spots.
Moving the event to the tournament’s first week aims to attract top singles stars.

History

Historical Context

In 2009, the US Open overhauled its doubles format, introducing no-ad scoring and a 10-point tiebreak at six-all, boosting spectator excitement. The United States Tennis Association announced a $21.5 million total prize pool that year, while the International Tennis Federation recorded a 12 % increase in global viewership. Today, Carlos Alcaraz defends his US Open title while Aug. 25 matches at Billie Jean King Tennis Center use the 2009 no-ad format and a $1 million prize. The precedent shows that format tweaks and lucrative payouts can sustain star participation despite injuries, shaping future Grand Slam scheduling and revenue models.

1 of 3

Alcaraz Returns

Carlos Alcaraz will return to defend his US Open title at the New York main draw.
He missed the French Open and Wimbledon after wrist tendon inflammation began on April 14 at the Barcelona Open.
He withdrew from the Cincinnati Open, citing the same wrist injury.
He captured the 2025 US Open, defeating Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 and earned a $5 million prize.

1 / 3