Carlos Alcaraz successfully began his US Open title defense on Monday by defeating Roman Safiullin in straight sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory marked the Spaniard’s return to competition following a four-month layoff due to a wrist injury sustained in April.
Overcoming Nerves and Rust After a Four-Month Injury Layoff
Making his return to Grand Slam tennis after missing both the French Open and Wimbledon, Carlos Alcaraz admitted he battled significant anxiety ahead of his opening match in New York. The right-handed Spaniard had not competed in a singles tournament since mid-April, when discomfort in his serving wrist forced him to withdraw from the Barcelona Open before the Round of 16.
That initial discomfort proved more serious than anticipated, sidelining the defending champion through the spring and summer. Stepping onto Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first round, Alcaraz wore a brown shirt and matching shorts—a departure from the vibrant colors of his 2025 championship run—as he worked to shake off months of competitive inactivity.
“It was a difficult day for me, to be honest. But at the same time, a really beautiful one. Starting the day, [I was] really nervous. Really, really nervous. Thinking, like, I’m going to make it. I’m going to compete again.”
Carlos Alcaraz, via Yahoo
Tactical Adjustments and Straight-Set Victory Over Roman Safiullin
Facing Russia’s Roman Safiullin, Alcaraz navigated early errors and a subdued first-serve speed that hovered around the 112-mph mark. Safiullin, ranked No. 99 in the world, tested the Spaniard by winning the opening game of every set and repeatedly challenging him in extended baseline exchanges.
The match was tied at 3-3 in the opening set before Alcaraz seized momentum by ripping a big forehand to secure a crucial break. Utilizing his familiar repertoire of surprise drop shots, serve-and-volley tactics, and powerful baseline groundstrokes, the second seed eventually pulled away to seal a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Reflecting on his physical condition after the match, Alcaraz reported that his arm felt entirely normal during competition. I felt great. I don’t know how it looked from the outside, but from inside, my feeling was that I was hitting normal,
Alcaraz said, confirming that he played completely pain-free.
Mixed Doubles Return Alongside Serena Williams
Before launching his singles defense, Alcaraz used the tournament’s opening week to test his fitness in the US Open mixed doubles draw. In a pairing that generated immense fan interest, Alcaraz teamed up with 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, who returned to the grounds for the first time in four years.
The star-studded duo won their opening match against Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool before falling in the quarterfinals to Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli. Alcaraz credited Williams with keeping him relaxed throughout the short-lived run, noting that he simply followed her instructions on the court.
I’m playing next to the one and only Serena Williams, so what else could you do? Just enjoy…
Carlos Alcaraz, via Yahoo
A Thinned Out Draw After Major Upsets
Alcaraz enters the remainder of the fortnight amid a shifting men’s singles draw. Meanwhile, the path opened further when fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic suffered a five-set upset defeat to Argentina’s Mariano Navone late Sunday evening, marking the veteran champion’s earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years.
Alcaraz described Djokovic’s early departure as a major surprise, though he emphasized that he is taking nothing for granted given his own recent absence from the tour.
