Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz didn't miss a beat as he returned from a four-month injury absence with a straight-sets first-round victory in the US Open on Monday.
Out of action with a wrist injury since April, Alcaraz passed his first test with flying colors, beating Russian Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where women's defending champion Aryna Sabalenka also made it safely into the second round.
"It's been a really tough five months for me," Alcaraz said. "Being able to step on the Arthur Ashe, being able to compete again, I couldn't decide to come back in a better tournament. It's a really special place for me."
"I tried to enjoy as much as I can," he added. "I missed the crowd, I missed the energy, I missed competition. I missed everything."
Alcaraz is trying to bookend his season with Grand Slam ****** les after his Australian Open triumph in January made him the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.
#slam
Out of action with a wrist injury since April, Alcaraz passed his first test with flying colors, beating Russian Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where women's defending champion Aryna Sabalenka also made it safely into the second round.
"It's been a really tough five months for me," Alcaraz said. "Being able to step on the Arthur Ashe, being able to compete again, I couldn't decide to come back in a better tournament. It's a really special place for me."
"I tried to enjoy as much as I can," he added. "I missed the crowd, I missed the energy, I missed competition. I missed everything."
Alcaraz is trying to bookend his season with Grand Slam ****** les after his Australian Open triumph in January made him the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.
#slam
4 days ago
