𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A “heartbroken” Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Davis Cup finals because of a right hamstring injury.

Alcaraz, the world No. 1, suffered the injury towards the end of the first set of the ATP Finals final against Jannik Sinner on Sunday and took a medical timeout. Alcaraz completed the match, losing 7-6 (4), 7-5, and played extremely well, but appeared to be playing more aggressively after suffering the injury, seemingly less willing and able to get drawn into long rallies.

Alcaraz played down the injury in a news conference after the match and travelled to Bologna on Monday for the Davis Cup finals where he was part of the Spain team. But he posted on X on Tuesday that: “I’m really sorry to announce I’m not able to play in the Davis Cup with Spain in Bologna. I have an edema in my right hamstring and the medical recommendation is not to compete.”

The British National Health Service (NHS) describes edema, which is swelling that can occur in knees, ankles or feet, as “often caused by a build-up of fluid in these areas”.

“I’ve always said that playing for Spain is the best thing there is, and I was really excited to help fight for the salad bowl (the nickname for the Davis Cup trophy),” Alcaraz continued. “I’m going home feeling heartbroken.”

Alcaraz has never won the Davis Cup and was the star man of a team that is looking to win a first title since 2019. With two-time champions Italy without the already withdrawn Sinner and world No. 8 Lorenzo Musetti, Spain were one of the favorites to win the event.

But Alcaraz’s withdrawal is a huge blow for David Ferrer’s team, whose highest ranked singles player is now the world No. 36 Jaume Munar. And Ferrer’s decision not to select world No. 14 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will come under more scrutiny — a year on from the Spanish captain picking a clearly not fully fit Rafael Nadal for the first rubber of their opening finals tie against the Netherlands in what was his last professional event.

Nadal lost in straight sets to Botic van de Zandschulp and Spain subsequently lost the tie 2-1.

It’s not clear yet how serious the injury is for Alcaraz — a representative was not immediately available for response — but he is not due to compete again until the Australian Open, which begins on January 18.

Before then, he is entered for exhibition events in New Jersey against Frances Tiafoe on December 7 and João Fonseca in Miami the following day. He is also scheduled to play Sinner in an exhibition in Seoul, South Korea on January 10.

At the Australian Open, Alcaraz will be looking to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam of winning all four of the tennis majors.

The Davis Cup finals, comprising of eight nations, begins on Tuesday and concludes Sunday.