Full list of winners at the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards held in Paris on Monday. The ceremony returned to an in-person format for the first time since 2020.
The world number two could now regain the top spot in the ATP ranking, just by setting foot in the Foro Italico and playing a match at the Masters 1000 in Rome.
If Alcaraz lifts the Madrid Open 2023 trophy on Sunday in the Spanish capital, he will knock Novak Djokovic from top spot in the rankings simply by playing a match at the Italian Open in Rome next week.
Following a Grade 2 injury to his left iliopsoas muscle during the Australian Open, Spain's Nadal revealed on Instagram that he is not ready to compete.
Australian Open will begin in Melbourne on January 16. Alcaraz's withdrawal means defending champion and 22-time major winner Rafael Nadal will be promoted to top seed at the tournament.
The 19-year-old Spanish tennis player had won his first Barcelona Tournament title last year by beating his compatriot Pablo Carreno in the final by a resounding 6-3, 6-2.