Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from this month’s Davis Cup following his recent semi-final defeat at the U.S. Open. The world number one, Alcaraz, who is the defending champion in New York, fell to a loss against third seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia in this year’s final major. Alcaraz, aged 20, will be replaced by Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the Spain squad.
In a statement made on the messaging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Alcaraz expressed his eagerness to represent Spain at the Davis Cup in Valencia but acknowledged the need to prioritize his physical and mental recovery.
“I was really looking forward to playing for Spain at the Davis Cup in Valencia, but I have to listen to my body after a very long tour,” Alcaraz stated. “I need to stop and rest, physically and mentally. The schedule is very demanding; there is still a long season ahead, and now it’s time to recharge my batteries. Best of luck to the Spanish team! I will be supporting you strongly! Let’s go!”
In place of Alcaraz, the 35-year-old Albert Ramos-Vinolas, currently ranked 88th in the world, has been called up by captain David Ferrer. Ferrer, a former Davis Cup champion with Spain, boasts an impressive history with three Davis Cup titles (2008, 2009, and 2011) and a runner-up finish in 2012.
Ramos-Vinolas had previously been part of the Spain Davis Cup squad during last year’s Final Eight in Malaga. The Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) highlighted his recent performances, including being a finalist in Gstaad, a semi-finalist in Cordoba, and reaching the quarter-finals in Rio de Janeiro and the ATP Challenger in Parma.
“In Davis Cup, he has played five Davis Cup ties with a record of six wins and only two defeats,” the RFET noted in a statement.
The Davis Cup competition will feature sixteen teams in the group stage, scheduled from September 12 to 17, with matches taking place in Bologna, Manchester, Valencia, and Split. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knock-out stage, set to occur from November 21 to 26 in Malaga.
Spain, in Group C in Valencia, will face off against Serbia, the Czech Republic, and South Korea in the initial group stage matches.
