Carlos Alcaraz set for time off after withdrawing from next week's ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam

Carlos Alcaraz won't return until likely the Middle Eastern portion of the season heading towards Indian Wells with the World No.1 deciding against defending his title at ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam as was confirmed yesterday (Monday).

After defeating Novak Djokovic in four sets on Sunday to win a seventh Grand Slam singles title, perhaps the writing was on the wall as he became the youngest man to complete the set of major victories also known as the Career Grand Slam.

But he will not complete a title defence at the ABN AMRO in Rotterdam. He said in a statement released by the tournament: "After consulting with my team, I had to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the ABN AMRO Open. I need time to recover after the long series in Australia. It's disappointing not to be able to return after winning the title last year. I had a great time in Rotterdam last year and hope to return soon. I wish the fans and the organizers a fantastic week."

Tournament Director, Richard Krajicek said: "The Australian Open was long and tough for Carlos. It is a shame for both him and us that his fantastic result is preventing him from participating in Rotterdam."

"A key reason for choosing a broad field with many top players is the risk of withdrawals. We are convinced that with the players present, we will have a fantastic week of tennis."

The spot taken in the draw from Alcaraz will be that of Frenchman, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard who is the first reserve. Alexander Zverev is now top seed at the ABN AMRO Open and will face competition from Alex de Minaur, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alexander Bublik and Jack Draper. Former winners in Daniil Medvedev and Stan Wawrinka are also present in Rotterdam.

Alcaraz had alluded to the fact that he wanted to stop and pause which perhaps put the blinkers on a title defence in Rotterdam.

"I'm going to say tennis really beautiful, but what the bad part of tennis, it is we have tournaments week after week after week, and sometimes you don't realize what you've been doing lately, because you know, once you finish tournament, you got to be prepared or your mind is about, you know, going to the next tournament," he said.

"So sometimes you don't stop yourself and think about what you're doing. What I've learned this year is about appreciate and enjoy every single second of the moment you're living. Not only lifting the trophies, but playing tournaments, playing tennis, getting victories, getting loses. Whatever it is, just enjoy and appreciate the life you're living.

"So right now I'm just trying to have a time to realize what I've been doing. ... For me, it's an honor to put my name on the history books."