World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz has pulled out of the Australian Open after sustaining a leg injury through what he described as ‘unnatural movement.’
The 19-year-old said in a statement that he suffered the injury during a training session in the off-season but didn’t elaborate on when it occurred. Alcaraz did participate in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship which took place between December 16-18 and there were no signs of him having an issue with his leg whilst playing at that event.
“When I was at my best in the preseason, I picked up an injury through a chance, unnatural movement in training,” Alcaraz wrote on Instagram.
“This time it’s the semimembranosus muscle in my right leg. I’ve 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.”
The semimembranosus muscle Alcaraz is referring to is better known as the hamstring muscle. There has been no information given about the severity of the issue or how long the tennis star might be sidelined from the Tour. According to the NHS, there are three grades of a hamstring injury. The higher the grade the longer the recovery time.
Alcaraz burst onto the Tour in 2022 by staging a meteoric rise where he won a series of high-profile titles. During that year, he won two ATP 500 events and two Masters 1000 tournaments before claiming his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open. Becoming the youngest man to win a major title since Rafael Nadal at the 2005 French Open.
As a result of the withdrawal, Nadal will be the top seed at the Australian Open which he seeks to win for a second year running. The main draw will start on Monday, January 16th.
