Alcaraz calls Djokovic exit "a big surprise" after opening US Open defence

Carlos Alcaraz opened his US Open title defence with a straight-sets win over Roman Safiullin on September 1, 2026.

Alcaraz called Novak Djokovic’s first-round exit a "big surprise." He returned after 139 days out with a wrist injury, admitted feeling unusually nervous and said he was pain-free after the match.

The Spaniard, now 23-3 this season, will next face Jaime Faria.