Injury woes continue for World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz, withdraws from Australian Open due to leg injury

Carlos Alcaraz will not play at the 2023 Australian Open which begins on 16 January after picking up a new leg injury, he has confirmed on social media on Friday evening.

Alcaraz initially recovered from an abdominal injury which ended his season in November but was only set to play in Kooyong in an exhibition which gave potential warning signs.

But this is a new injury which he sustained in practice and he said by 'chance' in his 'semimembranosus muscle' in his right leg. This means that the World No.1 is now out in Melbourne.

Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud are now the top two seeds and a return will likely be targeted for Indian Wells and Miami in terms of the next big tournament for Alcaraz.

"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 wrote. "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. It's tough, but I have to be optimistic, recover and look forward. See you in 2024 Australian Open."