​Mar 6, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) warms up before hitting on the practice courts for the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesCarlos Alcaraz has missed nearly four months of competition, including the French Open and Wimbledon, since injuring his right wrist at the Barcelona Open in April. Although the 23-year-old’s inclusion in the Cincinnati Open entry list suggests his long-awaited return is only weeks away, his recent appearance at the FIFA World Cup final has sparked fresh questions about his recovery.Kim Clijsters Addresses Carlos Alcaraz’s Secrecy Regarding His InjuryAmid his break from the tour, Alcaraz made an appearance at the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, proudly cheering on his national team from the stands after presenting the trophy on the pitch. As he celebrated Spain’s 1-0 victory with the team’s stars Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí, as well as Travis Scott and Drake, it didn’t escape notice that the 23-year-old was still sporting a brace on his right wrist.Alcaraz’s wrist brace became a talking point on the “Love All” podcast, with tennis reporter Blair Henley revealing that it left her uncertain about the Spaniard’s condition ahead of his anticipated return at the Cincinnati Open.Henley asked former world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters whether she had any insight into the severity of the 23-year-old’s injury.“Carlos Alcaraz, who presented the World Cup trophy. Supposed to come back in Cincinnati. There was definitely still something on his right wrist. I don’t know if you saw. Which, I don’t know, makes me a little uncertain. Do you know much about his particular wrist issue as somebody who has had wrist issues?” Henley said.Clijsters, however, said she had no additional information, suggesting that Alcaraz has been very “secretive” about the extent of the issue. Pointing to the Spaniard’s recent update, which showed him having a very light practice, Clijsters added that she was curious to hear him provide more clarity as he nears his return.“I don’t. I hope that we’ll maybe hear a little bit more about it once he starts coming back and he explains it a little bit more, but I feel like he’s been very, he has been secretive,” Clijsters said.“We’ve seen him with a brace or a cast at the start. Then he posts some clips here and there where he’s actually hitting and doing some drills but I haven’t seen anything of him playing full out yet either. So, I’m just very curious to see,” she added.MORE:‘If, if, If’ – As Carlos Alcaraz Appears on US Open Entry List, Stubbs Makes Feelings Clear on His ComebackCarlos Alcaraz’s absence from the tour has cost him 4,800 ranking points, allowing Alexander Zverev to replace him as the world No. 2. With his US Open title defense looming, fans will hope to see the Spaniard make a strong comeback at the Cincinnati Open, which