World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz has pulled out of this week’s Davis Cup Finals in Bologna after doctors advised him to rest a swollen right hamstring, ending his hopes of leading Spain in Thursday’s quarterfinal against the Czech Republic.
The 22-year-old confirmed the news Tuesday, saying the injury stemmed from last week’s ATP Finals in Turin. “I’m so sorry to announce that I won’t be able to play for Spain in the Davis Cup in Bologna,” he wrote on social media. “I have an edema in my right hamstring and the medical recommendation is not to compete.”
Alcaraz, who lost Sunday’s ATP Finals match to Jannik Sinner but still locked down the year-end No. 1 ranking, was expected to anchor a Spanish squad featuring Jaume Lunar, Pedro Martinez and Pablo Carreno Busta under captain David Ferrer. Spain’s last Davis Cup title came in 2019. Alcaraz said he was returning home with a “heavy heart … I’ve always said that playing for Spain is the greatest thing there is, and I was really looking forward to helping us fight for the Davis Cup. I’m going home hurt.”
The top seed had been eager for another chance at the trophy after previous setbacks — he did not compete in 2023 because of fitness issues, and Spain exited early last year in Malaga, ending Rafael Nadal’s illustrious Davis Cup career. Alcaraz, 6-2 overall in the event since debuting in 2022, has often spoken about his desire “to win the Davis Cup one day … because for me, it’s a really important, important tournament.”
This year he won the French Open and U.S. Open, bringing his major tally to six, and finished the season with a 71–8 record. Sinner, his closest rival at 58–6, also withdrew from the 2025 Davis Cup earlier, leaving Italy without its star.
Spain’s quarterfinal opponent, No. 4 seed Czech Republic, will be led by Jiri Lehecka and Jakub Mensik, who reached Bologna after eliminating the United States in September. The winner will advance to face Argentina or Germany in the semifinals, with the Davis Cup final set for Sunday.
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