Alcaraz continues to battle tenosynovitis, a painful swelling of the fluid-filled sheath around the tendon on the inner wrist.

This condition often stems from repeated actions such as gripping and swinging a racket, resulting in swelling and persistent soreness.

Less serious instances may resolve in weeks through rest alone, yet tougher cases demand extensive physiotherapy or even an operation, extending recovery to as long as twelve months.

Alcaraz has avoided surgery, yet his recent pullout extends his absence beyond four months, during which he could not hold a racket for part of the time.

Wrist troubles pose special risks for tennis athletes because the joint is central to every racket-ball impact, with its motion adding power and its flexibility enabling precise shots like drop volleys that define Alcaraz versatile style.

Minimal muscle coverage around the wrist bones and tendons complicates strength recovery, making the duration of time out hard to forecast accurately.

"It is extremely challenging to handle," notes CiCi Bellis, a former top-35 player who stepped away at age 22 due to repeated wrist problems.

"The wrist ranks among the injuries players dread most. Lower-body issues still allow practice swings, but wrist damage brings mental strain since you cannot swing at all. I returned with lingering doubt about the joint."

"Patience remains the top factor in rehabilitation and restoring self-belief."

"For a player like Alcaraz, whose forehand may be the finest in the game, the wrist sits at the heart of his approach, especially with heavy spin that depends heavily on wrist action."

Alcaraz claimed his most recent victory against a qualifier in the first round of the Barcelona Open before showing clear discomfort and withdrawing ahead of his following match.

Images and clips posted on his social channels capture him training in Murcia on Tuesday, displaying the longer hair grown during his layoff.

A return to matches remains weeks away at minimum, so he would carry nearly five months of inactivity into the US Open at best.

With wrist injuries, however, extra caution often reduces the chance of repeat trouble.

"Prior injury stands as the chief risk factor - once it occurs, the likelihood rises again," Ross notes.

"If a player resumes over several months without setback, the outlook generally improves, yet some cases turn chronic and the drive to compete, secure earnings and protect ranking points adds pressure."

A major hurdle with wrist damage is mental: after painful harm to the joint that governs so much technique, full trust can prove elusive.

"Wrists are never straightforward," observed Sir Andy Murray after dealing with issues in both wrists during his early twenties.

"When the ball sits low you must engage the wrist to lift it, and when it arrives fast and high you rely on the wrist to bring it down. Returning from such an injury makes it mentally tough to release that memory of pain."

Before the injury Alcaraz averaged two Grand Slam crowns each year, a pace that would tie Novak Djokovic 24-title mark by 2034 when Alcaraz turns 31.

He aims to regain peak form quickly upon return, yet matching prior performance after wrist trouble is rarely simple.

"The wrist receives limited blood flow and heals slowly," Ross explains. "Building strength takes genuine time and care is intricate."

"Confidence returns based on rehab progress - you may feel strong only to face a setback, and handling that is key."

"We view injuries as chances to improve other areas such as cardio fitness, core and legs, or mental recovery during a break."

"Keeping the athlete engaged is essential."