Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Davis Cup, eyes December comeback

Carlos Alcaraz’s season has been one for the record books. Six Grand Slam titles, a Tour-best 71 wins, and a climactic finish as the year-end No. 1.

But just days after falling to Jannik Sinner in a bruising ATP Finals showdown in Turin, the 22-year-old Spaniard is ending his 2025 campaign earlier than expected, citing a right hamstring injury that forced him to pull out of Spain’s Davis Cup quarter-final clash against Czechia.

“I was really looking forward to playing for Spain,” Alcaraz admitted during a virtual press conference Tuesday, his first appearance since announcing his withdrawal. “But the season has been really long, with highs and lows. Right now, I’m just getting treatment to be good as soon as I can. I’m feeling a bit of pain in the hamstring. I’m a bit sad, but at the same time, the season is over.”

The withdrawal comes as a major blow for Spain, who are set to compete in Bologna this Thursday without their top-ranked star.

Team captain David Ferrer will instead lead a squad of Jaume Munar, Pablo Carreno Busta, Pedro Martinez, and veteran doubles specialist Marcel Granollers into a high-stakes matchup against Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka and Jakub Mensik.

Alcaraz, who required a medical timeout during the ATP Finals final to strap his leg, returned to Spain’s training camp earlier this week, only to be diagnosed with “significant muscle strain with marked oedema” in his hamstring. Medical staff advised him to immediately halt competition.

“I am very sorry to announce that I will not be able to play with Spain in the Davis Cup in Bologna,” Alcaraz wrote on X. “I have edema in my right hamstring and the medical recommendation is not to compete. I have always said that playing for Spain is the greatest thing there is and I was really looking forward to helping fight for the Salad Bowl. I am going home hurt…”

Despite the injury, the young phenom isn’t dwelling on disappointment.

With an eye on recovery, Alcaraz is targeting a December return for two high-profile exhibition matches in the U.S. He’ll square off against Frances Tiafoe at “A Racquet at the Rock” in Newark on December 7, followed by a showdown with Brazilian teen Joao Fonseca at the “Miami Invitational” the next day.

“I love playing in different stadiums and different places,” Alcaraz said. “I’m not going to feel like a tennis player because the stadium [in Newark] is used for different sports, which is great. I just hope to feel a different energy that I’m not used to feeling at the same tournaments or the same places I play on tour. I don’t take too much time to get used to it. I just feel natural stepping on the court.”

The 22-year-old, who lit up headlines not just for his play but also for his evolving hairstyles — most recently a bleach-blonde look debuted at the Laver Cup — sees the upcoming break as a moment to reset, recover, and recharge.

“I think it was a good impact for the players,” he grinned. “I was asking around to the players, ‘What do you think of my blonde hair?’ They thought doesn’t look that bad, to be honest! … Now is the right time to do something else!”

For now, the focus is purely physical.

“I’m not worried at all,” Alcaraz emphasized. “I really wanted to play Davis Cup but my body didn’t feel good at all to compete there. I have one more week just to recover and be good, and I’ll have two more weeks before playing there. We’ll do some specific exercises and treatments for the next two weeks because I’m going to do whatever it takes just to be ready. I’m going to be really serious and focused on the recovery. Hopefully, I’ll be good as soon as I can!”