Teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz has been dealt a major blow with injury forcing him out of this month's Australian Open.
The world No 1 was one of the favourites to prevail at Melbourne Park, having won his maiden Grand Slam title in September at the US Open. The 19-year-old underlined his potential by beating Casper Ruud in the final at Flushing Meadows.
However, the end of his season was plagued by a torn abdominal muscle, which forced him to miss the ATP Finals in Turin. The Spaniard was also unable to represent his country in the Davis Cup Finals, eventually won by Canada.
And now the prodigy has revealed he's picked up a muscle injury upon his return to training, scuppering his hopes of a maiden title in Melbourne: “When I was at my best in pre-season, I picked up an injury through a chance, unnatural movement in training," he tweeted. "This time it's the semimembranosus muscle in my right leg.
"I'd worked so hard to get to my best level for Australia but unfortunately I won't be able to play the Care A2+ Kooyong or the Australian Open. It's tough, but I have to be optimistic, recover and look forward. See you in 2024 @AustralianOpen."
Event organisers responded to the star, tweeting back: "We’re sorry we won’t be seeing you this year @carlosalcaraz. Wishing you a swift recovery. See you back on court soon."
Alcaraz was seeded in a Slam for the first time down under a year ago, and reached the third round before losing in five sets to Matteo Berrettini. That sparked a run of form which saw him win the Rio Open and Miami Masters, setting him on his rise to the top of the rankings.
He was due to be the top seed in Australia, with that spot likely to be taken by compatriot Rafael Nadal. The 22-time Grand Slam winner is the defending champion after his dramatic final victory over Daniil Medvedev in 2022.
The absence of Alcaraz could only boost the hopes of the returning Novak Djokovic, who was unable to compete last time around after being deported out of the country the day before the tournament began. The nine-time champion was set to be absent again this month after being handed a three-year visa ban, but that sanction was revoked in November.
