Alcaraz began the year by winning his first Australian Open title – becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam – and would have been looking to kick on further, as he often does when the clay season gets under way.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion won clay-court titles in Monte Carlo, Rome and Roland Garros last season, and reached the final in Barcelona.
He lost the world number one ranking to long-term rival Jannik Sinner this month, after losing to him in the Monte Carlo final, and could lose significant ground to the Italian in the rankings while sidelined.
It also opens up the opportunity for Sinner to secure his own career Grand Slam – winning each of the major tournaments at least once – with the French Open the only one missing from his collection.
Since qualifying for his first Slam in 2021, Spain’s Alcaraz has only missed one – when he had to withdraw from the 2023 Australian Open with a hamstring injury.
