Carlos Alcaraz OUT of the Australian Open due to ‘chance’ injury
The Australian Open will be missing the ATP world number one for the second successive year after Carlos Alcaraz withdrew with injury.
Last year’s tournament was missing Novak Djokovic after his well-publicised vaccination row with the Australian government led to his deportation just hours before play was due to begin.
There is nothing like that kind of drama this time, but the end result is essentially the same – the world number one will be missing from the draw.
The 19-year-old revealed he has injured his hamstring in training and requires a sell on the sidelines.
“When I was at my best in pre-season I picked up an injury through a chance, unnatural movement,” Carlos Alcaraz said.
“I’d worked so hard to get to my best level for Australia but unfortunately I won’t be able to play the Kooyong or the Australian Open.”
He added: “It’s tough, but I have to be optimistic, recover and look forward. See you in 2024 Australian Open.”
When I was at my best in preseason, I picked up an injury through a chance, unnatural movement in training. This time it's the semimembranosus muscle in my right leg. pic.twitter.com/nJbIlMtGyK
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) January 6, 2023
Defending champion Rafael Nadal will now be moved to become top seed in the draw, with Casper Ruud taking the second seed spot.
It will also now mean that Novak Djokovic will move into the top four seeds, which should be beneficial to him once the draw is made.
The Australian Open draw will take place on Thursday January 12 with the action set to get underway on January 16.
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