Carlos Alcaraz faced a significant setback this week as he announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Davis Cup finals in Italy due to a hamstring injury. The world No. 1 expressed his disappointment on social media, revealing that medical advice guided his decision to step back from the competition.
In a heartfelt message, Alcaraz shared, “I’m so sorry to announce that I won’t be able to play for Spain in the Davis Cup in Bologna. I have an edema in my right hamstring, and the medical recommendation is not to compete.” The injury arose during last week’s ATP Finals, where he was diagnosed with muscle overload and swelling.
The 22-year-old star lamented not being able to represent his country, stating, “Playing for Spain is the greatest thing there is, and I was really looking forward to helping us fight for the Davis Cup.” This marks another year of unfulfilled dreams for Alcaraz, who has long aspired to clinch this prestigious title for his country. He made his Davis Cup debut in 2022 and boasts a commendable record of 6-2 overall, including 5-1 in singles matches.
Spain’s last Davis Cup victory came in 2019, and Alcaraz missed the 2023 edition due to fitness concerns. Last year, he and the Spanish team were eliminated in the opening round of the Final 8, which was a disappointing conclusion to Rafael Nadal’s illustrious career.
Alcaraz was poised to lead Spain in their quarterfinal clash on Thursday against the No. 4-seeded Czech Republic, who recently ousted the United States in the qualifying rounds. The Czech squad features formidable top-20 talents like Jiri Lehecka and Jakub Mensik.
Despite this setback, Alcaraz has had a remarkable year, securing the year-end No. 1 ranking before falling to Jannik Sinner in the ATP Finals with a score of 7-6 (4), 7-5. He also made history last year by becoming the youngest player to finish a season at the top of the ATP rankings at just 19. With Grand Slam victories at both the French Open and US Open this season, he has amassed a total of six major titles, solidifying his place as one of the sport’s leading figures.
