Injuries cloud tennis as US Open gets under way

The 2026 US Open got underway on August 31, 2026, but was overshadowed by a wave of injuries affecting top players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who had split the Grand Slam titles between them in the previous year. The injury crisis among elite players has become a growing concern for the sport heading into the tournament. Alcaraz was reported to be returning from injury and was seen practicing at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center ahead of the event.