> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://courtshark.ai/blog/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Carlos Alcaraz Looks Ahead After Late US Open Exit - URL: https://courtshark.ai/blog/carlos-alcaraz-late-us-open-exit-laver-cup/ - Published: 2026-09-24T11:01:49.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-05T21:00:49.000Z - Description: Carlos Alcaraz addressed a late US Open finish, Jannik Sinner's absence and his return with Team Europe at the Laver Cup. - Author: Court Shark Desk - Tags: news, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Ben Shelton, Laver Cup, Injury In this analysis 1. [Key takeaway](#key-takeaway) 2. [A difficult return ends with a smile](#s-a-difficult-return-ends-with-a-smile) 3. [The schedule remains his concern](#s-the-schedule-remains-his-concern) 4. [Sinner's absence is felt](#s-sinner-s-absence-is-felt) 5. [Laver Cup comes next](#s-laver-cup-comes-next) 6. [Methodology and sources](#methodology) Key takeaway Carlos Alcaraz returned from a lengthy wrist injury in a US Open quarterfinal that ended deep into the night. He now joins Team Europe at the Laver Cup while calling for a better tournament schedule. ## A difficult return ends with a smile [Carlos Alcaraz](https://courtshark.ai/players/carlos-alcaraz-207989) left the US Open after a five-set quarterfinal loss to [Ben Shelton](https://courtshark.ai/players/ben-shelton-210097), which ended at 3.34am. The match came in his first tournament after more than five months away with a wrist injury that caused daily pain. He still smiled afterward. That reaction reflected what the return meant to him after missing the chance to defend his French Open title and sitting out Wimbledon. Alcaraz was unsure he could play in New York until the week before the event began. The No. 2 player has gone 8-2 across his last 10 completed matches, while No. 6 Shelton is 6-4 over the same span. ## The schedule remains his concern The finish against Shelton set the latest end time in US Open history, and Alcaraz wants the schedule changed. He said an earlier start would have given more fans the chance to watch a full stadium rather than leaving them with a match that ran into the early hours. His view was simple. He suggested an 11pm limit as a more reasonable target for the tournament. Late sessions were not limited to his quarterfinal, as Alexander Zverev completed three of his first five matches after 1am and Venus Williams finished her opener at 2am. Long nights have become a physical issue for players already managing injuries through the season. ## Sinner's absence is felt Away from his own return, Alcaraz spoke about missing [Jannik Sinner](https://courtshark.ai/players/jannik-sinner-206173) at the US Open because of the Italian's knee injury. Sinner is No. 1 and has a 9-1 record in his last 10 completed matches. Their rivalry has been interrupted by the injuries affecting both players. They met once this season, with Sinner winning the Monte Carlo Masters final to take the top ranking. Across the previous two seasons, the pair split all eight Grand Slam titles. Alcaraz said he expects their future meetings to draw attention, and he plans to skip some tournaments to protect his physical and mental health. ## Laver Cup comes next London comes next. Alcaraz will represent Team Europe at the Laver Cup from September 25-27, with Yannick Noah leading Europe against a United States team captained by Andre Agassi. The team format gives him a quick shift after the individual pressure of New York. He described playing alongside leading peers as unfamiliar but enjoyable, with teammates adding another source of energy around each match. Alcaraz said players compete as if everything depends on the result, which helps explain the event's intensity for those on court. This appearance gives his return another test before the season moves on. Court Shark win probabilities are statistical estimates, not advice. No outcome is guaranteed. In this story Carlos Alcaraz Ranked No. 2 Jannik Sinner Ranked No. 1 Ben Shelton Ranked No. 6 Article snapshot ยท Not live Continue your research Compare form, explore surfaces and follow live match context. [Explore Premium](https://courtshark.ai/register?redirect=/start-premium)[See what's included](https://courtshark.ai/premium) - Advanced filters and splits - Save your research - Live context and updates Related on Court Shark - [How our match model works](https://courtshark.ai/blog/methodology/) - [Our editorial standards](https://courtshark.ai/blog/editorial-standards/) - [About the desk](https://courtshark.ai/blog/about-the-desk/) ## Methodology and sources How we build model estimates and where our information comes from. Sources and citations Rankings and recent results for the players named come from the Court Shark match database. The story is public tennis news, written up by the desk in its own words. Limitations Player figures are a snapshot taken when the story was written and do not update after publication. About the desk Who writes the Journal and how an article is put together. [Read about the desk](https://courtshark.ai/blog/about-the-desk/) Editorial standards What we publish, what we check and how we decide what is fit to print. [Read our standards](https://courtshark.ai/blog/editorial-standards/) Corrections Spotted an error? Write to hello@courtshark.ai and we will correct it and note the change. [Read the corrections policy](https://courtshark.ai/blog/editorial-standards/)