World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Australian Open after suffering a leg injury in training.
The US Open winner took to Twitter on Saturday morning to announce the news.
“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,” he said on Twitter.
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Having battled an abdominal concern late in 2022, the news will come has a massive blow for Alcaraz. The Australian Open would have been his first grand slam since becoming world No.1.
The Australian Open was also shaping up on paper to be one of the strongest grand slams in history, with the entire top-100 in both mens and women’s tennis entered.
“I’d worked so hard to get to my best level for Australia but unfortunately I won’t be able to play (Kooyong) or the Australian Open,” Alcaraz said.
“It’s tough, but I have to be optimistic, recover and look forward.”
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