Carlos Alcaraz continues to struggle with arm injury that saw him miss the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open title defence; Jannik Sinner joins Spaniard on sidelines - both were due to feature in Rome from May 8-19, live on Sky Sports Tennis
Saturday 4 May 2024 15:30, UK
Home favourite Jannik Sinner and third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz have both withdrawn from the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome due to injury.
Alcaraz had been due to feature in the latest ATP 1000 event in Rome, live from May 8-19 on Sky Sports Tennis, where the Spaniard looked to bounce back from his quarter-final defeat in Madrid on Wednesday.
The reigning Wimbledon champion's hopes of a threepeat on home soil were ended by Andrey Rublev, who secured the biggest win of his career when he triumphed 4-6 6-3 6-2 under the roof of Manolo Santana Stadium.
Sinner announced on Saturday that he is withdrawing because of an injured hip - denying the tournament of its most anticipated home player in decades.
Alcaraz experienced pain in his arm during the tournament and was wearing strapping during the defeat, with the 20-year-old confirming on social media that he would not recover in time to feature in Rome.
In a statement released on X, Alcaraz said: "I felt some pain after playing in Madrid, some discomfort in my arm. Today I did some tests and I have a muscle edema [fluid swelling] in my pronator teres [forearm muscle], a consequence of my recent injury.
"Unfortunately I will not be able to play in Rome. I need to rest so I can recover and play 100 per cent pain-free. I am very sorry, I will see you next year."
Alcaraz successfully defended his Indian Wells title in March and reached the Miami Open quarter-finals, before injuring his right forearm in a practice session in Monaco and continuing to struggle with the issue.
He withdrew from Monte-Carlo Masters last month and skipped his Barcelona Open title defence due to injury, with Alcaraz feeling sore during his progression to the Madrid quarter-finals.
The 22-year-old Sinner raised the Australian Open trophy in January to become the first Italian man to win a Grand Slam singles title in nearly a half-century - since Adriano Panatta at the 1976 French Open.
"It's not easy to write this message but after having talked with doctors and specialists again about my hip problems I have to announce that unfortunately I can't play in Rome," Sinner wrote in Italian on social media.
"Obviously I'm very upset to have not recuperated, this being one of my absolute favorite tournaments," Sinner said. "I was really excited about playing at home in front of the Italian fans. Anyhow, I'll still come to Rome for a few days and I will stop by the Foro Italico.
"Now I will work with my team and physicians to be ready for Roland Garros," Sinner added.
Fourth-ranked Daniil Medvedev is also dealing with a physical issues, having retired after losing the first set of his quarter-final in Madrid to Jiri Lehecka - during which he required treatment to his upper right leg.
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic, who did not play in Madrid, is expected back in Rome. As is Rafael Nadal.
Andy Murray has also withdrawn from the tournament in the Italian capital as he continues to recover from ligament damage in his left ankle suffered at the Miami Open.
Following the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, there are ATP 250 events in Geneva and Lyon from May 19-25 ahead of the second Grand Slam of the year - the French Open at Roland Garros - getting under way on May 26.
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