By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Picture credit score: Antoine Couvercelle/ROLEX
Carlos Alcaraz has hobbled out of the Davis Cup Ultimate 8 in an enormous blow to Spain.
World No. 1 Alcaraz introduced right now a scan revealed edema in the best leg damage he suffered falling to Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s closing of the ATP Finals and has compelled him to withdraw from Davis Cup.
Alcaraz suffered a proper hamstring damage lunging for a return close to the tip of the opening set of his 7-6(4), 7- loss to Sinner. Alcaraz returned to court docket within the second set along with his proper leg taped up.
The six-time Grand Slam champion traveled to Bologna to attempt to play Davis Cup, however check confirmed the swelling in his proper leg.
“I’m very sorry to announce that I received’t be capable to play with Spain within the Davis Cup in Bologna,” Alcaraz posted on Instagram right now. “I’ve an edema within the sciatica of my proper leg and the medical advice is to not compete.
“I’ve at all times mentioned that taking part in for Spain is the largest factor there’s and I used to be very excited to have the ability to assist struggle for the [Davis Cup]. I’m going house sore…”
Alcaraz’s absence means three of the world’s High 10-ranked males received’t be competing in Bologna. Final week, Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti every formally withdrew from two-time defending champion Italy’s staff.
In the meantime, Spain, aiming for its seventh Davis Cup championship, strikes into Wednesday’s Davis Cup quarterfinal towards Czechia with out its prime two-ranked singles stars: Alcaraz and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Jaume Munar, Pedro Martinez, Marcel Granollers and Alcaraz had been initially named to the Spanish Davis Cup staff.
World No. 14 Davidovich Fokina was bypassed for a spot on the Spanish Davis Cup squad and mentioned that call rests solely on the shoulders of captain David Ferrer.
“It was a call by captain David Ferrer and I respect it,” Davidovich Fokina told MARCA. “Clearly, I might have liked to be on the listing representing my nation, however this time he has determined to produce other gamers.
“David referred to as me per week in the past to inform me that he wouldn’t rely on me on the primary listing. Earlier than that decision I had already advised him to rely on me. For me it should at all times be a satisfaction to signify Spain, however ultimately it was his resolution and I accepted it.”
Nonetheless, as second-highest ranked Spanish man, Davidovich Fokina mentioned he believes he deserved a spot on the squad.
“Being quantity [14] on the earth, I feel I deserved to be among the many 4 finest gamers in my nation, with all respect to my teammates, who as I mentioned are nice gamers too,” Davidovich Fokina advised MARCA.
Davis Cup Ultimate 8 Schedule
QUARTERFINAL 1 – France v Belgium
Tuesday November 18th – 16.00 (CET)
QUARTERFINAL 2 – Italy v Austria
Wednesday, November nineteenth – 16.00 (CET)
QUARTERFINAL 3 -Spain v Czechia
Thursday, November twentieth – 10.00 (CET)
QUARTERFINAL 4 – Argentina v Germany
Thursday, November twentieth – 17.00 (CET)
SEMIFINAL 1 (QF1 v QF2)
Friday, November twenty first – 16.00 (CET)
SEMIFINAL 2 (QF3 v QF4)
Saturday, November twenty second – 12.00 (CET)
FINAL
Sunday, November twenty third – 15.00 (CET)
