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Novak Djokovic says the world doesn’t. World number 1 Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal from the Australian Open “is not good for tennis” although the Serb’s chances of a 10th title are greatly boosted by his now decidedly crucial draw.
The young Spanish superstar, who became the youngest player to reach no. 1 after winning the US Open in September, she withdrew from the upcoming tournament in Melbourne after suffering a hamstring injury during training.
It gives the big Serb a huge boost as he looks to win a record-equaling 22nd Grand Slam – not that he focused on that when he spoke about Alcaraz’s premature retirement in the wake of a slew of missing stars.
Novak Djokovic (left) says the Australian Open withdrawal of Carlos Alcaraz (right) due to a hamstring injury “is not good for tennis”
“Obviously, it’s not good for the tournament, it’s not good for tennis,” Djokovic said on Saturday after his Adelaide International semi-final victory, when asked about the 19-year-old’s withdrawal from the upcoming Open.
He is number one in the world. Such a young player. A great name, a great star in our sport already. I’m sure many of the fans are disappointed. I look forward to his speedy recovery.
The Serb, who is seeking his 10th Australian Open title after winning it for the first time in 2008, said the grueling nature of the ATP tour meant injuries were an unfortunate reality for players.
Novak Djokovic, pictured with the 2020 Australian Open trophy, is looking for a record-extending tenth title when the 2022 tournament kicks off on January 16.
“Whatever it is, I know he had an injury at the end of last season that was different than this one,” he said.
‘You’re constantly on the road, playing competitions. When you’re out of that rhythm, your body can react.
‘You can have some injuries and difficulties when you come back on tour and start pushing more and playing points, giving more intensity on points, practice points, practice matches.
It is unfortunate for him (but) he is still young, he has a lot of time. I hope he can recover and get back on tour quickly,” said a hopeful Djokovic, who has been incredibly popular with Australian fans since he came Down Under for the Adelaide International, his Open build-up.
Alcaraz became the youngest man to reach the top spot after beating Casper Ruud in the US Open final in New York in September.
Carlos Alcaraz becomes the no. youngest world. 1 in history when he beat Casper Ruud in the 2022 US Open final last September, though he has since struggled with injury.
The teenage superstar had just recovered from a torn abdominal muscle that ruled him out of the season-ending ATP Finals before a hamstring injury in a pre-season training session meant he had to pull out of the Melbourne event.
But Daniil Medvedev, who was succeeded by Alcaraz as the world number 1, had an encouraging message for the teenager, telling him to make a quick recovery.
‘It is a pity. The way he (Alacaraz) played at 18, he could be a bit of the Rafa, Novak, Roger type,” said the Russian, who has played in the last two Australian Open finals without winning.
‘But he still has 19 Slams to win so it’s a shame he won’t play the next one. It would be fun to watch. I’m sure he will come back stronger.
It’s quite a blow to Australian tennis fans in the wake of a series of high-profile withdrawals and injury concerns.
Novak Djokovic has been in brilliant form at the Adelaide International, and appears beating Daniil Medvedev in the semi-final on Saturday night.
Of course, there’s also the absence of the now-retired superstar trio: Ash Barty, Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
What it does mean, however, is that fan favorite Djokovic has now dramatically reasserted himself in an almost untenable favoritism with the bookies.
That’s despite last year’s champion Rafael Nadal being the top seed, though the aging superstar is stuck in a rut of ongoing bad form as he enters the tail end of his illustrious career.
Thanks to Alcaraz’s withdrawal, Djokovic is now the fourth seed in the tournament, which begins on January 16.
The elevation means the 35-year-old is guaranteed to avoid playing a higher-ranked opponent – Nadal, Ruud or Stefanos Tsitsipas – at least until the semi-finals.
As a result, Djokovic has made a strong foothold in the TAB.com.au marketplace to win the tournament, with the Serb at $1.95 and Medvedev the next favorite at $5.50.
A stunning sunset framed the Australian Open 2021 semi-final as Novak Djokovic defeated the now-retired Roger Federer at Rod Laver Arena
Australian Nick Kyrgios, who has never enjoyed singles success at his home Grand Slam, is the third seed, alongside Nadal ($12); while Felix Auger Aliassime ($14), Tsitsipas and Jannik Sinner ($17), and Holger Rune ($21) trail far behind.
It has been a remarkable turnaround for Djokovic after the deportation saga that rocked last year’s Australian Open.
First, he successfully managed to overturn his three-year visa ban in November, allowing the nine-time champion to return to Melbourne to extend his own record for most Australian Open titles.
Now his main challenger is out of the tournament and Djokovic, who this week extended his five-year unbeaten streak in Australia to 32 matches in Adelaide, will look to lift the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup at Rod Laver Arena once again on January 29.