The Mexican Open has suffered a double blow as top seed Carlos Alcaraz as well as Rio Open champion Cameron Norrie have withdrawn from the tournament.

The pair were involved in a marathon final in Brazil on Sunday with Norrie coming out on top, but both will now skip this week’s ATP 500 event in Acapulco.

Alcaraz struggled with a leg injury during the semi-final and the final and underwent an MRI scan on Monday and results have confirmed that he has a hamstring strain.

“Unfortunately I won’t be able to play in @AbiertoTelcel. I have a grade 1 strain in my right hamstring that will keep me out for several days, according to the tests we did this morning,” the world No 2 tweeted.

“I’m really sad I can’t compete here, but now it’s time to think about recovering and being ready as soon as possible. I hope to see you all soon!”

His latest setback comes not long after he injured his hamstring at the start of the year, forcing him to miss the Australian Open, while an abdominal injury also ruled him out of November’s ATP Finals.

One of the teenager’s coaches confirmed that they wanted him to retire, but the Spaniard wanted to complete the match.

His latest injury also raises questions about his fitness ahead of the Indian Wells Masters with the main draw getting underway on March 8 while the Miami Open – where he is the defending champion – gets underway on March 20.

Norrie, who lost against Alcaraz in the Argentina Open final a fortnight ago, also pulled out of the North American event.

“Unfortunately I have to withdraw from Acapulco,” the British No 1 said in an Instagram Story. “It’s one of my favourite tournaments, so it’s really tough for me to withdraw.”

Lucky loser Luciano Darderi took Alcaraz’s place in the main draw, but lost 6-4, 6-2 against Mackenzie McDonald while Norrie’s replacement Elias Elmer upset Adrian Mannarino 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

There were also wins for eighth seed Alex de Minaur as the Australian beat Mexican wildcard Rodrigo Pacheco Méndez 6-1, 6-2.

The Berrettini brothers also reached the second round with both advancing courtesy of retirements. 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Matteo was leading Alex Molcan 6-0, 1-0 when the Slovakian quit while Jacopo was up 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 2-1 when Oscar Otte threw in the towel.

READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz’s 2023 tennis schedule: Where is he competing next and his season so far…

The article Carlos Alcaraz’s injury fears confirmed as Cameron Norrie also pulls out of Acapulco appeared first on Tennis365.com.