Alcaraz withdrawal raises questions over Davis Cup | Sports News

Spain’s Davis Cup squad has suffered a devastating setback after world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz was compelled to withdraw from the staff competitors because of harm.

Alcaraz sustained a thigh harm during Sunday’s championship conflict on the ATP Finals earlier than touring to Bologna to hyperlink up with the squad, the place he underwent medical scans with the staff doctor.

The “heartbroken” Spaniard was subsequently pressured to drag out of the World Cup of males’s tennis when scans revealed he had developed an edema.

This leaves the squad with out their two top-ranked stars, as captain David Ferrer opted in opposition to deciding on world No. 14 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina for the roster.

Announcing his withdrawal by way of social media on Tuesday, Alcaraz posted: “I’m absolutely gutted to announce that I’m not going to be able to play with Spain in the Davis Cup in Bologna. I have an edema in the hamstring of my right leg, and the medical recommendation is not to compete. I’ve always said that playing for Spain is the greatest thing there is, and I was so excited to be able to help fight for the Salad Bowl. I’m heading home feeling heartbroken.”

The six-time Grand Slam winner was anticipated to spearhead the staff’s singles matches, however world No. 36 Jaume Munar will now function Spain’s main participant on the Davis Cup Finals. Pablo Carreno Busta – a former top-10 competitor now positioned at No. 89 as he recovers from surgical procedure – can even compete within the singles class.

Team captain Ferrer may come to remorse overlooking Davidovich Fokina for the squad. Supporters had been puzzled when the 26-year-old didn’t make Spain’s initial four-man roster and questioned whether or not he’d subsequently be added because the fifth member.

The world No. 14 later indicated that he “deserved to be among the best players” and revealed it was Ferrer who selected to not embody him. “It was captain David Ferrer’s decision, and I respect it. Obviously, I would have loved to be on the roster representing my country, but this time he decided to include other players,” Davidovich Fokina advised Marca.

The Spanish No. 2 was absent from Spain’s qualifier match in opposition to Denmark in September, which influenced Ferrer’s selection, however Davidovich Fokina clarified that he was injured and the captain was “aware of everything”.

Ferrer, although, opted to not identify Davidovich Fokina in his authentic squad because of issues that he may pull out as soon as more. Spain’s Davis Cup captain subsequently defended his selection, telling COPE: “He told me, ‘If I don’t make the first list, don’t speak to me, so that’s why he is ruled out of playing in Bologna. It’s something I have to accept, but of course, Alejandro is a great player, he is 14 in the world, he could be an important player for us, but he ruled himself out.”

Alcaraz and Davidovich Fokina would have shaped a highly effective one-two mixture had they each been accessible to compete this week. The duo share a robust friendship away from tennis, with Davidovich Fokina even extending a marriage ceremony invitation to the world No. 1. Nevertheless, Alcaraz confessed that each one personal ties are set apart once they conflict during event play.

“I know him quite well. We’ve played several times, and we train together often. It’s never easy to play against someone you like, but this is tennis: on the court, there are no friends,” the US Open champion remarked once they confronted off in Monte Carlo.