World No. 1 and reigning U.S. Open champion Carlos Alcaraz said a leg injury will keep him from competing in the upcoming Australian Open.
The 19-year-old Spaniard posted the news to social media on Friday. He also pulled out of a scheduled tune-up event.
“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,” he posted. “It’s tough, but I have to be optimistic, recover and look forward. See you in 2024 @AustralianOpen.”
Alcaraz blamed the injury on a “chance, unnatural movement in training.” He said the semimembranosus muscle — the largest hamstring muscle — of his right leg is impacted.
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
Alcaraz has six career tour titles — five of them coming in 2022. In addition to the U.S. Open, he won ATP Masters 1000 events in Madrid and Miami, as well as clay-court tournaments in Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro.
His countryman and boyhood idol, Rafael Nadal, is ranked No. 2 in the world. He is the defending champion at the Australian Open.
The Australian Open draw is scheduled for Thursday, with the Grand Slam event set for Jan. 16-29 in Melbourne.
–Field Level Media
