MADRID — Carlos Alcaraz will go another year without realizing his dream of winning the Davis Cup for Spain.
World number one Alcaraz said it was heartbreaking to withdraw from Italy’s Davis Cup final on Tuesday with a hamstring injury.
He said the decision was recommended by doctors.
“I regret to announce that I will not be able to play for Spain in the Davis Cup match in Bologna,” Alcaraz said on X. “I have developed edema in my right hamstring and the medical advice is not to compete.”
He was injured during last week’s ATP Finals and was diagnosed with muscle overload and swelling in his right hamstring.
Alcaraz said he went home with a “heavy heart.”
“I’ve always said playing for Spain is the greatest thing and I’m really looking forward to helping us compete for the Davis Cup.”
Alcaraz made his Davis Cup debut in 2022 with a 6-2 overall record and a 5-1 singles record. Spain last won the championship in 2019.
He also did not participate in the 2023 Davis Cup due to health issues. Last year, Alcaraz and Spain were eliminated in the first round of the quarter-finals at home in Malaga, ruining the final match of Rafael Nadal’s storied career.
Alcaraz, 22, said he hopes to “win the Davis Cup one day… because for me it’s a very, very important tournament.”
He is expected to lead Spain in their quarter-final clash with the fourth-seeded Czech Republic in Bologna on Thursday. The Czech team includes top 20 players Jiri Lehecka and Jakub Mensik. They eliminated Team USA in the qualifying round in September.
Alcaraz had already locked up the year-end No. 1 ranking before losing 7-6 (4), 7-5 to Jannik Sinner in the ATP Finals on Sunday. He also took first place in 2022, the youngest ever at just 19 years old.
He won the French Open and US Open this year and has six Grand Slam titles.
