Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Davis Cup Finals in Italy on medical advice following an MRI scan conducted on Monday.
The world No.1 had been a doubt for the team event since appearing to hurt his hamstring while playing against Jannik Sinner in the title match at the ATP Finals on Sunday. Alcaraz suffered from the issue in the first set but was able to complete the match, later saying it had no impact on the outcome. He was bidding to become the first Spanish man to win the year-end event since 1998.
On Monday, Alcaraz underwent an MRI on his hamstring, which was conducted by Dr Angel Ruiz Cotorro, head of medical services for the Spanish Tennis Federation. The scan has found he has bone oedema (also known as swelling) in his right hamstring and has been advised to rest.
“I’m absolutely gutted to announce that I won’t be able to play with Spain in the Davis Cup in Bologna,” Alcaraz said in a statement posted on Tuesday.
“I’ve got an oedema in the hamstring of my right leg and the medical advice is not to compete. I’ve always said that playing for Spain is the greatest honour there is and I was dead excited about the chance to help fight for the Davis Cup.
“I’m heading home feeling proper gutted.”
Alcaraz, who made his Davis Cup debut in 2022, was hoping to win the tournament for the first time in his career. He participated in the Finals last year, which was Rafael Nadal’s last event before he retired. Spain lost in the quarter-finals to the Netherlands. The last time they won the title was in 2019.
The withdrawal brings to a close what has been a successful year for Alcaraz, who has won eight ATP titles with a win-loss record of 71-9. Two of those triumphs were at the French Open and Wimbledon. As a result of his sucess, Alcaraz has secured the year-end No.1 spot for the second time after 2022.
As for the Spanish Davis Cup team, Jaume Munar and Pablo Carreño Busta are scheduled to play the singles matches in their quarter-final tie against the Czech Republic on Thursday. The winner will then face either Germany or Argentina.
