Four ATP Players Withdraw From Italian Open

The Italian Open in Rome begins on Wednesday, with 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev set to defend the title he surprisingly won in 2023. Last year’s French Open winner, Novak Djokovic, and three-time Grand Slam runner-up Casper Ruud are among the other top players set to compete at the tournament. However, four players have elected to withdraw from the Italian Open, including two very high-profile names. This article lists those who have withdrawn and then names their four replacements in the draw.

Four ATP Players Withdraw From Italian Open

Which Players Have Withdrawn?

Carlos Alcaraz was the first player to withdraw from the Italian Open. Last year’s Wimbledon champion missed the tournaments in Monte Carlo and Barcelona with a forearm injury. Despite playing in Madrid, that issue is still an issue for Alcaraz, meaning he has decided not to play in Rome to try and be fully fit for the French Open.

Andy Murray was the second player to withdraw from the Italian Open. The three-time Grand Slam winner damaged two ligaments in his left ankle during his Miami Open defeat to Tomas Machac in March. That type of injury usually leads to a significant period of time on the sidelines. Nonetheless, Murray still hopes to play at the French Open in a few weeks.

Arthur Cazaux also withdrew from the event. The Frenchman suffered a horrible injury at the Barcelona Open last month. With the score at 5-5 in his contest against Matteo Arnaldi, the 21-year-old twisted his ankle very badly, leading to his retirement from that match. It is not currently known when Cazaux will return to the sport.

Facundo Diaz Acosta was the fourth player to withdraw from the Italian Open. The Argentinian generated attention by playing one of the best clay-court matches so far this season in Barcelona against the eventual champion Stefanos Tsitsipas, narrowly losing 6-4 3-6 6-7. No official reason has been given for his decision not to play in Rome.

Who Replaces Those Four Players In The Draw?

Rinky Hijikata is on the Italian Open entry list after Alcaraz’s decision to withdraw. However, it is not fully clear if the Australian will take this opportunity. He has not played in a couple of weeks, and his last event was an ATP Challenger event on hard courts in Mexico last month. This makes Hijikata’s commitment to the rest of the clay-court season unclear.

Pedro Cachin replaces Murray at the Italian Open. The Argentine had a memorable tournament in Madrid. He ended a run of 15 consecutive defeats in Spain before playing Rafael Nadal in what turned out to be the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s final victory at the event. Cachin will try and use those memories to inspire him for the rest of the year.

Mackenzie McDonald benefits from Cazaux electing to withdraw from the tournament. If the American is able to play, it will be his first event since the Australian Open in January. McDonald has been out with an injury since the opening Grand Slam of the year. Hopefully, those issues are now behind him.

Finally, Stan Wawrinka is also set to feature at the Italian Open. The 2015 French Open champion’s first Masters 1000 final came in Rome all the way back in 2008, which he lost in three sets to Novak Djokovic. Wawrinka is the oldest player in the Top 100 and his commitment to the sport is inspiring to watch.