Photo by Antoine Couvercelle/ROLEX
Carlos Alcaraz has hobbled out of the Davis Cup Final 8 in a massive blow to Spain.
World No. 1 Alcaraz announced today a scan revealed edema in the right leg injury he suffered falling to Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s final of the ATP Finals and has forced him to withdraw from Davis Cup.
Alcaraz suffered a right hamstring injury lunging for a return near the end of the opening set of his 7-6(4), 7- loss to Sinner. Alcaraz returned to court in the second set with his right leg taped up.
The six-time Grand Slam champion traveled to Bologna to try to play Davis Cup, but test showed the swelling in his right leg.
“I’m very sorry to announce that I won’t be able to play with Spain in the Davis Cup in Bologna,” Alcaraz posted on Instagram today. “I have an edema in the sciatica of my right leg and the medical recommendation is not to compete.
“I’ve always said that playing for Spain is the biggest thing there is and I was very excited to be able to help fight for the [Davis Cup]. I’m going home sore…”
Alcaraz’s absence means three of the world’s Top 10-ranked men won’t be competing in Bologna. Last week, Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti each officially withdrew from two-time defending champion Italy’s team.
Meanwhile, Spain, aiming for its seventh Davis Cup championship, moves into Wednesday’s Davis Cup quarterfinal against Czechia without its top two-ranked singles stars: Alcaraz and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Jaume Munar, Pedro Martinez, Marcel Granollers and Alcaraz were initially named to the Spanish Davis Cup team.
World No. 14 Davidovich Fokina was bypassed for a spot on the Spanish Davis Cup squad and said that decision rests solely on the shoulders of captain David Ferrer.