Carlos Alcaraz Pulls Out Of Spain's Davis Cup Squad After US Open Semifinal Defeat

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz pulled out of the Davis Cup Finals group stage on Saturday after his US Open semi-final defeat by Daniil Medvedev.

Veteran Albert Ramos-Vinolas will replace the 20-year-old for the matches in Valencia between September 12-17, said the Spanish tennis federation in a statement.

Alcaraz had been set to clash with rival Novak Djokovic, named in Serbia’s team, whom he beat in a thrilling Wimbledon final in July.

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Alcaraz was expected to lead Spain’s team in the absence of Rafael Nadal and due to the injury troubles of Pablo Carreno Busta and Roberto Bautista Agut, but has decided to withdraw from the competition.

“I was very excited to play the Davis Cup for Spain in Valencia, but I have to listen to my body after a very long tour,” wrote Alcaraz on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

“I need to stop and rest, physically and mentally. The calendar is very demanding, there’s still a lot of the season left and now I have to pick up my strength.”

In his absence, Spain will now rely on players like Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Roberto Bautista Agut, Marcel Granollers, and Albert Ramos-Vinolas, who will replace Alcaraz in the line-up.

The Spanish Tennis Federation released a statement confirming that Alcaraz will be replaced by Albert Ramos for their upcoming Davis Cup matches.

“Albert Ramos replaces Carlos Alcaraz in the Spanish Tennis Team that will play the Group Phase of the Davis Cup Finals this coming week in Valencia, from September 12 to 17. The 35-year-old veteran tennis player from Barcelona will join the team this afternoon, which this Saturday will carry out its first day of work under the orders of the new captain David Ferrer,” read the statement.

Alcaraz’s defence of his US Open title was ended by Medvedev who came out on top in their semi-final 7-6 (7/3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 on Friday.

Alcaraz is not the only high-profile player to withdraw from the Davis Cup, with world number six Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini both pulling out of the Italy squad.

Spain will face Serbia, the Czech Republic and South Korea in their Davis Cup group, aiming to qualify for the last eight, played between November 21-26 in Malaga. The top two will progress.

(Inputs taken from agencies)