Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Davis Cup days after criticising tournament’s yearly format: 'I'm going home heartbroken'

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz has pulled out of the Davis Cup Finals after suffering an injury during the ATP Finals championship match on Sunday. The Spanish star injured himself in the first set of the final against Jannik Sinner, where he lost 7-6, 7-5. Despite the injury, he continued his game after receiving medical attention, but the issue has now ruled him out of Spain’s team event.

“I’m so sorry to announce that I won’t be able to play for Spain in the Davis Cup in Bologna… I have edema in my right hamstring and the medical recommendation is not to compete. 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 heartbroken…” Alcaraz wrote on social media.

More from Tennis

Jannik Sinner outwits Carlos Alcaraz at home in ATP Finals, but the Spaniard moves on fast Carlos Alcaraz faces booing from Italian fans as he sets up ATP Finals final clash against Jannik Sinner

Alcaraz joined the Spanish squad in Bologna on Monday. However, after he underwent scans with the team doctor, it emerged that he has muscle edema. The doctors have reportedly warned him that there is a high risk of a muscle tear if he takes the court. Alcaraz will not play at all in this year’s Davis Cup Finals. Spain were preparing to face Czechia in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

With the world No. 1 out, Spain are likely to field Jaume Munar and Pablo Carreno Busta in the singles matches, while Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez will handle the doubles.

Alcaraz criticises Davis Cup format

This withdrawal comes just days after Alcaraz publicly criticised the Davis Cup. He said that the tournament should not be held every year, and suggested it should take place once every two or three years.

Alcaraz believes that if the team event is held every two or three years, players will value it more because it will be “unique.” Other top players like Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti have already skipped this year’s Davis Cup after a long season.

“They got to do something (with) this event, because I think playing every year, I mean — it is not as good as it might be if you’re playing every two or three years. I think if the tournament is played, like, every two years or every three years, the players, the commitment of the players, it’s going to be even more because it’s unique, it’s different. You’re not able to play every year,” Alcaraz had said.