Tennis: Top seed Alcaraz pulls out of Acapulco with strained hamstring
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Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action against British tennis player Cameron Norrie, at the Rio Open.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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NEW YORK – Top seed Carlos Alcaraz has pulled out of this week’s ATP 500 event in Acapulco with a strained hamstring, the US Open champion said on Tuesday.
The Spanish world No. 2 picked up the injury during his loss to Cameron Norrie in last Sunday’s Rio Open final, where the pain hindered both his movement and serve.
“I have a grade 1 strain in my right hamstring that will keep me out for several days, according to the tests we did this morning,” he wrote on Twitter.
“I’m really sad I can’t compete here, but now it’s time to think about recovering and being ready as soon as possible. I hope to see you all soon!”
After spending nearly four months out of action due to abdominal and hamstring injuries, Alcaraz returned to the ATP Tour in February in Buenos Aires, where he beat Norrie in the final for his first title since the 2022 US Open.
In Rio de Janeiro, the 19-year-old needed treatment for a left leg problem during his semi-final and then picked up an injury to the other leg in the final against Norrie, during which he needed his leg wrapped midway through the match.
Norrie has also pulled out from Acapulco, citing fatigue. “Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from Acapulco,” the Briton said via Instagram. “It’s one of my favourite tournaments, so it’s really tough.”
Alcaraz is not the only injured Spaniard.
Rafael Nadal also said on Tuesday he had decided to withdraw from two Masters 1000 hard-court events in Indian Wells and Miami in March due to injury.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who has not competed since his Australian Open title defence in January ended in a second-round loss, during which he aggravated a hip problem, said he had started rehab and physiotherapy as instructed by doctors.
“I am sad that I won’t be able to compete at Indian Wells nor Miami. Very sad not to be there,” Nadal tweeted.
“I’ll miss all my US fans but I hope to see them later this year.”
Nadal lost in straight sets to Taylor Fritz in the 2022 Indian Wells final and then skipped the Miami Open so that he could focus on his clay-court preparation.
The 36-year-old is a three-time champion at Indian Wells, having triumphed in 2007, 2009 and 2013. Nadal has reached the Miami final five times but has never won the title and has not competed there since 2017.
“We wish Rafa continued healing, and hope to see him back at the BNP Paribas Open next year,” Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas said in a statement. REUTERS
