Carlos Alcaraz's shock announcement ahead of finals: 'What a shame'
World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz will finish his season on a low after announcing he will miss the rest of the season after suffering an abdominal strain in Paris.
Alcaraz retired injured during his quarter-final match against Holger Rune on Friday after he received medical treatment for an abdominal strain.
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The Spaniard has enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, which saw him win his maiden grand slam title at the US Open.
However, his season-ending injury will now see him miss the ATP Finals in Turin and the Davis Cup Finals.
While the 19-year-old opted to retire against Rune with the ATP Finals in mind, the Spaniard announced he would have to end his season in Paris after the injury.
"After my withdrawal yesterday and having been evaluated by my medical team... unfortunately this is the result of my injury: an internal oblique muscle tear in the left abdominal wall with an estimated recovery time of six weeks," Alcaraz said in a statement.
"Unfortunately I won't make the ATP Finals or the Davis Cup Finals. It is tough and painful for me to miss these two events, which are so important to me, but all I can do is be positive and focus on my recovery."
Unfortunately I won't make the ATP Finals or the Davis Cup Finals. It is tough and painful for me to miss these two events, which are so important to me, but all I can do is be positive and focus on my recovery. Thank you for the support! 😘
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) November 5, 2022
American Taylor Fritz, who is ninth in the ATP Race, is in line to take Alcaraz's spot at the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin.
Tennis world reacts to Carlos Alcaraz news
The tennis community was quick to react to Alcaraz's sad announcement.
His opponent, Rune, wished Alcaraz the best and said he was looking forward to seeing him return for the Australian Open.
Get well and see you full of energy in Australia 🇦🇺
— Holger Rune (@holgerrune2003) November 5, 2022
Carlos Alcaraz's season is now over:
57 wins, 13 losses (just three straight set losses)
5 titles - 1 Slam, 2 M1000, 2 ATP 500
7 finals
Up from #32 to a very likely year-end #1
Turned 19yo in may
Youngest ever world number one
What a year. pic.twitter.com/eWnSApbqik— José Morgado (@josemorgado) November 5, 2022
Carlos, you'll be back 10 plus more times at least! Take care of yourself.....what a shame to end the year like this, but what a year!
— Rennae Stubbs OLY (@rennaestubbs) November 5, 2022
Sorry to hear this sad news @carlosalcaraz, will miss seeing you at both events. Please get some well deserved rest, you earned it. Get well soon 😕
— ULTM8SerenaWilliamsf (@ultm8swfans) November 5, 2022
Meanwhile in Paris, Novak Djokovic is just one win away from a seventh Paris Masters title after battling past Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach the final again.
Djokovic dropped a set for the first time this week against the Greek world No.5 in Bercy on Saturday but still went on to extend his winning streak against Tsitsipas to eight matches with a 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4) victory.
In Sunday's final, Djokovic will face unseeded Danish teenager Holger Rune, who was a surprisingly comfortable 6-4 6-2 winner against in-form Canadian eighth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Djokovic will be aiming for a record-extending 39th title at Masters level, a fifth triumph this season and 91st career overall.
"It's very sweet, obviously, when you win matches like this against one of the best players in the world," said Djokovic, who struck 11 aces and won 84 per cent of his first-serve points against Tsitsipas.
with AAP
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