Carlos Alcaraz has now been sidelined for over three months with a wrist injury.
The Spaniard suffered the setback during the clay swing, and last appeared on the ATP Tour at the Barcelona Open in April.
Alcaraz’s injury has forced him to withdraw from several big events, including Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
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In his absence, Alexander Zverev has leapfrogged him in the ATP rankings to become the new world number two.
It was recently reported that Alcaraz is targeting a return at the Cincinnati Open, where he is the defending champion.
Carlos Alcaraz’s latest update ahead of the North American swing
As per El Pais, Alcaraz will soon stop using the indoor court and start practicing outdoors in Murcia.
If it goes well, he will travel to America for the Cincinnati Open and the US Open, using the ATP Masters 1000 event as a test.
He has already received the official tennis balls of the Cincinnati Open to get ready for the tournament.
Alcaraz won the Cincinnati Open for the first time last season after facing his rival Jannik Sinner in the final.
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He was up 5-0 in the first set against Sinner before the Italian was forced to retire from the title bout due to illness.
Following the Cincinnati Open, Alcaraz went on to win his sixth Grand Slam title at the US Open, beating Sinner in the final again.
Carlos Alcaraz’s return set to be ‘the biggest X factor in sports’
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Serena Williams’ former coach Rick Macci said: “Alcaraz and this comeback is the biggest X factor in sports.
“He is a generational talent like the sport has never seen. His magic act and road to rare air was on a fast track tennis like no other.
“If there are zero speed bumps or setbacks, look for the Magician in the near future to get back the pole position.
“If he reinjures the wrist and goes on and off the entry list, who knows if we will see Grand Slam titles and Carlos pumping that magical Spanish fist.”
Alcaraz won his seventh and most recent major title earlier this year at the Australian Open, where he completed the Career Grand Slam.
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