Waiting for the real return, in the singles draw of the tournament where he defends his title, where his breakthrough occurred and he became the youngest world number 1 ever by winning it for the first time in 2022, Carlos Alcaraz competed again in a tournament once he had recovered from the wrist injury that had kept him away from the courts since April 14, when alarms went off at the Conde de Godó.
With a splint and wristband on his right arm, a sleeveless NBA-style shirt, and a headband in his hair, the Spaniard tested himself in two matches of low demand where he moved well, following the script of doubles play. Relaxed, smiling, happy to be back, he achieved the first victory alongside the American, who still possesses the shots that made her a legend. They won in the round of 16 by 5-3 and 4-1 against the British Lloyd Glasspool and the Canadian Erin Routliffe, two doubles specialists with no singles baggage. A few minutes later, Flavio Cobolli and Belinda Bencic defeated them by 5-4 (5) and 4-1 in the quarterfinals.
Few conclusions can be drawn from a mere performance. It is enough to see the Spaniard without any hindrance and, within the nature of the match, with the competitive spirit that characterizes him. Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams joining forces at the US Open. Quite something. Thirty Grand Slam titles, seven for the Spaniard, 23 for the American, converging at Arthur Ashe, in the genuinely American spectacle aimed at revitalizing mixed doubles, scheduled before the respective individual competitions begin.
The partnership was confirmed last Saturday, but it was an open secret. Alcaraz, 23, and the youngest of the Williams sisters, 44, (her sister Venus, 46, has not stopped playing regularly), returning to this stage four seasons later, a perfect symbiosis for what is intended to be offered in a tournament where the winning pair will pocket a million dollars. Two tennis eras merging on a court in defense of the same interests. When Serena, the most decorated woman in the history of this sport, won, precisely in New York, her first of 23 majors, her dance partner was still four years away from being born.
The first serious injury of his career prevented Alcaraz from competing in Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He returns in a major, with this mixed doubles as the only light testing ground. He returns amidst the enthusiasm of fans, who already flocked to his training sessions, driven by the excitement of witnessing live the most charismatic player on the circuit.
"I double-faulted on the first point. I started very nervous. It's been almost five months without competing, but then I had a lot of fun thanks to Serena and the energy of the crowd," Alcaraz commented after the first match, in front of the fans who nearly filled the 23,000 seats of Arthur Ashe.