By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Photo credit: 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.
“It’s a big disappointment not being able to play the Davis Cup to be honest,” Alcaraz told the media in today’s Zoom call to promote his Racquet at the Rock exhibition vs. Frances Tiafoe at Newark’s Prudential Center on December 7th. “The season has been really long, highs and lows, but right now I’m just getting treatment to be good as soon as I can.
“[I am] feeling a bit of pain in the hamstring. A bit sad, but at the same time this season is over.”
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 Pablo Carreno Busta will lead the Spanish Davis Cup team this week.
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.
“It was a decision by captain David Ferrer and I respect it,” Davidovich Fokina told MARCA. “Obviously, I would have loved to be on the list representing my country, but this time he has decided to have other players.
“David called me a week ago to tell me that he would not count on me on the first list. Before that call I had already told him to count on me. For me it will always be a pride to represent Spain, but in the end it was his decision and I accepted it.”
Asked if he regretted bypassing Davidovich Fokina at today’s Davis Cup presser, Captain Ferrer replied “next question.”
“I don’t want to answer that question now. I explain two weeks ago,” Captain Ferrer said.
“That’s it.”
Still, as second-highest ranked Spanish man, Davidovich Fokina said he believes he deserved a spot on the squad.
“Being number [14] in the world, I think I deserved to be among the four best players in my country, with all respect to my teammates, who as I said are great players too,” Davidovich Fokina told MARCA.
Davis Cup Final 8 Schedule
QUARTERFINAL 1 – France v Belgium
Tuesday November 18th – 16.00 (CET)
QUARTERFINAL 2 – Italy v Austria
Wednesday, November 19th – 16.00 (CET)
QUARTERFINAL 3 -Spain v Czechia
Thursday, November 20th – 10.00 (CET)
QUARTERFINAL 4 – Argentina v Germany
Thursday, November 20th – 17.00 (CET)
SEMIFINAL 1 (QF1 v QF2)
Friday, November 21st – 16.00 (CET)
SEMIFINAL 2 (QF3 v QF4)
Saturday, November 22nd – 12.00 (CET)
FINAL
Sunday, November 23rd – 15.00 (CET)
