…as top tennis players gather in Melbourne later this month
World number one Carlos Alcaraz is out of the Australian Open after suffering a leg injury in pre-season training.
The 19-year-old Spaniard became the youngest men’s world number one in history after winning his maiden Grand Slam at the US Open in September 2022.
Alcaraz replaced Russia’s Daniil Medvedev at the top of the rankings after beating Norway’s Casper Ruud in the US Open final in September by electrifying the crowd with his acrobatic shot-making, hard-hitting forehand and emphatic fist pumps.
Tennis fans were looking forward to witnessing one of the sport’s brightest young stars at Melbourne Park, who could have faced nine-time Aus Open winner Novak Djokovic, or fellow countryman Rafa Nadal, the defending champion.
Carlos Alcaraz had been due to play in the Kooyong Classic next week before the Australian Open begins on 16 January.
“When I was at my best in pre-season I picked up an injury through a chance, unnatural movement,” 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.”
Alcaraz’s absence at the Australian Open means compatriot and defending champion Rafael Nadal is set to be the men’s top seed at Melbourne Park.
An abdominal injury ruled Alcaraz out of the season-ending ATP Finals and Davis Cup towards the end of 2022.
The world’s top tennis players would gather in Melbourne later this month for the Australian Open.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal is the defending men’s champion and will be chasing a record-extending 23rd men’s Grand Slam singles title, but Australian Ashleigh Barty will not be defending her women’s singles champion following her shock retirement from the sport last year.
The Australian Open starts on Monday, 16 January and runs until Sunday, 29 January.
The seedings have yet to be announced but will be determined by world ranking before the draw.
British players competing include, Women’s singles: Emma Raducanu, Harriet Dart (Katie Boulter, Jodie Burrage, Heather Watson, Katie Swan, Sonay Kartal and Lily Miyazaki are in a qualifying event which starts on 9 January).
Men’s singles: Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans, Andy Murray, Jack Draper, Kyle Edmund (Liam Broady, Ryan Peniston and Paul Jubb are in qualifying event).
Among those competing in the doubles will be Joe Salisbury, Neal Skupski, Jamie Murray, Olivia Nicholls, Alicia Barnett, and Heather Watson.
In the wheelchair events, 17-year-old Ben Bartram has been awarded a wildcard to join Alfie Hewett, Gordon Reid, Lucy Shuker and Andy Lapthorne.
The draw is on Thursday, 12 January, with the time still to be confirmed by organisers.
