Alcaraz gives up on Monte Carlo: Here's for how long Djokovic will surely remain world No. 1!

Photo: Tanjug/AP

After Rafael Nadal withdrew from Monte Carlo, Carlos Alcaraz followed suit - the second star of Spanish tennis and the world's second racket.

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Due to the injury he suffered in the semifinals in Miami that he played against Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz decided not to risk an early return to the court.

After consulting with his doctor in Murcia, he decided to start the clay season later.

"After two months abroad, I am happy to return home but sad because I finished my last match in Miami with physical discomfort. After visiting my doctor Perez Martinez in Murcia today and being evaluated, I will not be able to go to Monte Carlo to start the clay court tour," Carlos Alcaraz tweeted.

After two months abroad, I am happy to return home but sad because I finished my last match in Miami with physical discomfort. After visiting my doctor @drlopezmartinez in Murcia today and being evaluated, I will not be able to go to Monte Carlo to start the clay court tour. pic.twitter.com/UsJzejm1WC— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) April 4, 2023

Alcaraz is the only one who can currently overtake Djokovic in the ATP rankings. He could have done it in Monte Carlo if he had triumphed, but now he's missed that chance.

Next, Alcaraz will defend his titles in Barcelona and Madrid, and until the Masters in Rome he has no chance of overtaking Djokovic, which means that Novak will certainly remain in the top spot at least until the end of May.

Novak now has an "open path" to the title in Monte Carlo, because his two most serious competitors on clay are out of the way. Since he was eliminated in the second round last year, he actually has the opportunity to earn 1,000 points if he wins the title, which would "cement" his top ATP ranking until the French Open.

Before that, on clay, Novak will defend the final at the Serbian Open (125 points), the semifinal of the Masters in Madrid (360 points) and the title in Rome (1,000 points).

(Telegraf.rs)