How Carlos Alcaraz can regain World No. 1 ranking if Novak Djokovic does not play Indian Wells and Miami Open

The battle between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic for the ATP World No. 1 ranking will heat up once again at the upcoming Indian Wells Masters and Miami Masters, even if Djokovic does not play either event. Alcaraz has the opportunity to regain the top spot, but his task is not easy.

As per multiple reports, Djokovic has been denied entry into the US even though he officially applied for an exemption from the vaccine mandate. Until there is any official word on that, though, the 22-time Slam champion would still be hoping to get a decision in his favor.

But time is running out for him, with the Indian Wells draw set to be made on Monday. Earlier this week, Djokovic confirmed that he would withdraw from Indian Wells before the draw was made if he did not receive a positive response on his exemption application.

If the six-time Indian Wells champion eventually misses out on playing in the Californian desert, Alcaraz will need to win the tournament to snatch the World No. 1 ranking back from Djokovic. The Spanish teenager is defending 360 points in Indian Wells this year, having reached the semifinals last year.

Alcaraz's job would still be far from done though. To retain the top spot, he would then have to defend his Miami Open title and the 1000 points that come along with it.

The reigning US Open champion will thus, effectively, need to win the 'Sunshine Double' to retain the No. 1 ranking going into the claycourt season.

Djokovic currently leads the pack with 7,160 ranking points, with Alcaraz trailing him by 380 points at 6,780. World No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas, who sits 975 points behind Alcaraz, will also need to win the Sunshine Double to become the World No. 1 for the first time in his career.

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Injured Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Las Vegas exhibition event ahead of Indian Wells

Carlos Alcaraz has suffered multiple injuries since the 2022 Paris Masters.

Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from MGM's 'The Slam', an exhibition event set to be held in Las Vegas on Sunday, citing an injury issue. Alcaraz, who is still on the comeback trail and has played only two tournaments so far this season, earlier withdrew from the Mexican Open in Acapulco.

The fresh withdrawal from the Las Vegas event raises more concerns about his fitness levels. However, he is expected to be ready for the Indian Wells Masters.

The Spaniard won his first tournament of the season, and first in three-and-a-half months, at the Argentina Open a couple of weeks ago. He then reached the Rio Open final, where his performance was affected by an injury in a 7-5, 4-6, 5-7 defeat to Cameron Norrie.

Carlos Alcaraz's 2022 season ended early due to an abdominal injury, before a leg injury forced him to miss the Australian hardcourt swing earlier this year. His Rio Open campaign was also affected by a right hamstring strain.