Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Basel with injury

Carlos Alcaraz has been forced to withdraw from the Swiss Indoors Open in Basel with a left-foot injury.

The Wimbledon champion had been due to compete in the season’s closing ATP 500 event, with his name present on the player entry list.

However, in a statement release by the Spaniard’s doctor, Alcaraz has withdrawn from the tournament due to an inflammation of the sole of his left foot, as well as problems in his gluteal muscles.

Stan Wawrinka has taken the Spaniard’s place in the main draw, while the wildcard that has in turn become available has been awarded to fellow Swiss player Leandro Riedi.

“Such news, as we also know from previous years, naturally hits us hard,” said tournament president Roger Brennwald.

“But cancellations due to injury are beyond our control. Fortunately, this year’s tournament has an outstanding number of players. An exciting clash with 15 players from the world’s top 30 is nevertheless guaranteed.”

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The world No 2 has had a long and busy season, with his recent exertions on the hard courts of North America and Asia evidently taking their toll on his body.

Alcaraz had been hoping to maximise the final few weeks left on this year’s tour calendar in the hope of chasing down top-ranked Novak Djokovic for the prestigious year-end No 1 position.

However, after a debut Asian swing that comprised seven often intense matches in the space of nine days, the course of action for the remainder of the season looks set to be caution and rest.

Alcaraz will now turn his attention to the final Masters 1000 event of the year in Paris, before a maiden appearance at the season-ending ATP Tour Finals in Turin.

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