Carlos Alcaraz has pulled out of Spain’s Davis Cup team after his 2023 US Open semi-final loss to Daniil Medvedev. The Royal Spanish Tennis Federation confirmed the news and named veteran Albert Ramos-Vinolas as the replacement. Alcaraz will consequently miss out on playing in front of his home crowd in Valencia, Spain. But also, this might jeopardize a potential doubles partnership with Rafael Nadal.
Alcaraz’s decision to take a break is likely down to physical and mental fatigue. There is no news of injury from his camp, which means he will use this time off to recover and relax after a grueling Grand Slam season. The World No.1 is huge loss for the the Spanish team to bear, and this will surely shake up their plans. Captain David Ferrer will hope to see his team rise above this and make it to the Davis Cup final.
Rafael Nadal-Carlos Alcaraz dream in jeopardy after latter pulls out of Davis Cup
Alcaraz was a heavy favorite to reach the 2023 US Open final, with fans hoping for a rematch of hi epic Cincinnati Open final with Novak Djokovic. However, Medvedev had different plans. The Russian played impeccable tennis in the semi-final to upset the #1 seed 7-6 (7-3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. Wimbledon 2023 champion Alcaraz has had a hectic 2023 after returning from injury. Subsequently, the Spaniard has decided to take a break and pulled out from Spain’s Davis Cup squad. Thereafter, 35-year-old veteran Ramos-Vinolas was announced as the replacement for Alcaraz.
The Davis Cup group phase is scheduled from September 12 to 17 in Valencia. Spain, #2 in the rankings, is in Group C with Czechia, Serbia, and South Korea. Djokovic is set to be part of the Serbian team and Ferrer surely would have loved to put Alcaraz up against the 23-time Grand Slam winner.
The 20-year-old was the highest ranked name in the team. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Roberto Bautista Agut, and Marcel Granollers complete the squad with Ramos-Vinolas coming in for Alcaraz. While Spain will still likely finish in the top two and make it to the Final 8 in November, it may not be as easy as it would have been with their superstar.
A high-profile reunion has been put under jeopardy after the two-time Majors winner pulled out. Rafael Nadal, working hard on a return, is looking to make an early comeback in the Davis Cup final in November. After Ferrer revealed this, the tennis world has been waiting to see Nadal and Alcaraz play together. The latter’s decision, though, puts this prospect up in the air. Spain’s certainty of qualifying has dropped after Alcaraz pulled out. It will be a major upset to not see the Iberian nation in the final. Even more so since it means fans have to wait longer to see Nadal and Alcaraz pair up.
Alcaraz’s 2023 is not over yet
Carlos Alcaraz has gone deep into almost ever tournament he has participated in 2023. He may have chosen to skip the Davis Cup group stage but he will surely be back on the court soon. The Shanghai Masters and Paris Masters are scheduled for October and the Spaniard is set to take part.
He will look to add to the two ATP 1000 titles he has already won this year. Alcaraz is also certain to feature at the Nitto ATP Finals in November. There is no surety if he will return to play the Davis Cup Final 8 fixtures for Spain, set to start just two days after the ATP Finals.
With Djokovic set to reclaim the World No.1 spot after the US Open, Alcaraz will not relax for too long. He will want to finish as the year-end No.1 for the second consecutive year. He has admitted to having set his eyes on this target. Djokovic going atop the rankings on Monday will be the seventh time the duo have exchanged the No.1 rank this year. Alcaraz is having a great year and will want to end on a high. Hence, he will give it his all to catch up to Djokovic and win back the No.1 ranking.
