How Alcaraz's withdrawal blows open AO draw

With world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz announcing his withdrawal from the Australian Open connected Saturday morning, respective top-ranked players' rubric hopes person received a monolithic boost.

As a effect of Alcaraz's removal, nine-time champion Novak Djokovic volition advance from the major's 5th effect to fourth.

Fortunately for Djokovic, the leap into the top-four volition guarantee helium won't look different top-seeded subordinate until astatine slightest the semi finals - strengthening his rubric run.

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Novak Djokovic of Serbia competes against Quentin Halys of France. (Getty)

The displacement volition besides assistance Rafael Nadal, Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas arsenic Djokovic volition not diagnostic successful their quarter.

In the shuffle, defending champion Nadal volition become the Slam's caller apical effect portion satellite No.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas could people a top-two seeding pursuing the decision of the United Cup.

Tsitsipas is scheduled to play Matteo Berrettini connected Saturday arsenic portion of Greece's semi last necktie with Italy.

A triumph implicit the Italian would origin Tsitsipas to leapfrog satellite No. 3 Ruud erstwhile the revised ATP rankings are released up of the AO gully announcement.

American Taylor Fritz volition besides go the eighth seed, increasing his chances of progressing to the 4th finals successful enactment with the beforehand runners.

Carlos Alcaraz volition miss the Australian Open - the archetypal Grand Slam since becoming satellite No.1 aft his historical US Open win. (AP)

Ensuing the result of the AO, Ruud, Tsitsipas and Djokovic each person a accidental to regenerate Alcaraz arsenic the men's satellite No. 1.

Alcaraz had been restricted by an abdominal interest since aboriginal November but cited a close limb wounded arsenic his crushed for missing the Australian summer.

"When I was astatine my champion successful preseason, I picked up an wounded done a chance, unnatural question successful training. This clip it's the semimembranosus musculus successful my close leg," helium wrote connected Twitter.

"I'd worked truthful hard to get to my champion level for Australia but unluckily I won't beryllium capable to play (Kooyong) oregon the Australian Open."

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