Carlos Alcaraz has pulled out of the Rotterdam Open merely hours after securing his first Australian Open crown on Sunday.
The world number one, who claimed the ATP 500 title in the Netherlands last year, will not be returning to defend his trophy at the indoor hard-court event beginning on 9 February.
Tournament organisers confirmed the withdrawal on Monday, stating that the 22-year-old Spaniard requires additional recovery time following his exertions over the past fortnight in Melbourne.
The decision means Alcaraz will forfeit 500 ranking points, though his team has prioritised the player's long-term physical wellbeing over immediate competition.
Carlos Alcaraz won £2million in prize money after winning the Australian Open
|REUTERS
Alcaraz's triumph at Melbourne Park saw him overcome Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in the final, handing the Serbian his first defeat in an Australian Open decider.
The victory made the Spaniard the youngest man ever to complete the career Grand Slam, having now captured all four major titles before his 23rd birthday.
His collection stands at seven Grand Slam singles trophies, matching the career totals of legends John McEnroe and Mats Wilander.
Alcaraz has now won one Australian Open, two French Opens, two Wimbledon titles and two US Open championships in what is already a remarkable career.
Carlos Alcaraz admitted he is exhausted after winning the Australian Open
|REUTERS
He also picked up £2million in prize money after victory over Djokovic.
The physical demands of the Melbourne fortnight took a significant toll on Alcaraz's body, with a lingering leg problem compounding his fatigue.
His semi-final clash with Alexander Zverev proved particularly gruelling, lasting five hours and 27 minutes to become the longest semi-final in Australian Open history.
The tight scheduling between Sunday's final and the Rotterdam event's start date, combined with the demands of intercontinental travel from Australia to Europe, are understood to have been key factors in the withdrawal decision.
Despite surrendering his defending champion status, Alcaraz's camp has determined that rest takes precedence over competition at this stage.
Novak Djokovic was outgunned by Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday's Australian Open final | GETTYSpeaking after his historic victory at Rod Laver Arena, Alcaraz reflected on the achievement: "It's a dream come true, to be honest. It was something I was working really hard for, to get this trophy and the career Grand Slam."
The Spaniard is expected to make his competitive return at the Qatar Open in Doha, an ATP 500 tournament commencing on 16 February.
When asked about pursuing a Calendar Grand Slam this season, Alcaraz dismissed any self-imposed expectations: "It's going to be a big challenge. Those are big words. I just want to take it one at a time."
Carlos Alcaraz has become the youngest male player in tennis history to achieve the career Grand Slam, with the world No 1 beating Novak Djokovic in four sets to win the Australian Open title on Sunday | GETTYThe Rotterdam field will still feature Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and British number one Jack Draper.