(Tennis News) Carlos Alcaraz has decided to withdraw from this month’s Davis Cup following his semi-final loss at the US Open, as announced by the world’s number one player on Saturday.
The defending champion in New York, Alcaraz, faced a defeat in this year’s final major when he played against the third-seeded Daniil Medvedev of Russia on Friday.
In his place, 20-year-old Alcaraz will be replaced by Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the Spanish squad. Alcaraz expressed his sentiments, stating, “I was really looking forward to representing Spain at the Davis Cup in Valencia, but I must heed my body’s needs after an extensive tour.” He added, “I need to take a break and recover both physically and mentally. The schedule is demanding, with a long season ahead, so it’s time for me to recharge. Best of luck to the Spanish team! I’ll be supporting you wholeheartedly! Let’s go!”
Albert Ramos-Vinolas, aged 35 and currently ranked 88th, has been summoned by Captain David Ferrer, a three-time Davis Cup champion with Spain, having won the trophy in 2008, 2009, and 2011, with a runner-up finish in 2012.
The Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) noted, “Ramos was already part of the team for last year’s Final Eight in Malaga. This year, he reached the finals in Gstaad and semi-finals in Cordoba, as well as the quarter-finals in Rio de Janeiro and the ATP Challenger in Parma.” They further added, “In Davis Cup, he has participated in five ties with an impressive record of six wins and only two defeats.”
The group stage of the Davis Cup will feature sixteen teams competing from September 12 to 17 across Bologna, Manchester, Valencia, and Split. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knock-out stage taking place from November 21 to 26 in Malaga. Spain will be grouped with Serbia, the Czech Republic, and South Korea in Group C in Valencia.
