Fresh off a dominant run to his sixth major title at the US Open, Carlos Alcaraz made a surprising decision. Instead of leading his country in the Davis Cup, he’s stepping aside to rest, leaving Spain in a vulnerable position against a Holger Rune-led Danish team. His choice, coupled with injuries sidelining top American players, has shaken up the landscape for two of tennis’s biggest team events.
Why Is Carlos Alcaraz Skipping the Davis Cup After His US Open Victory?
Carlos Alcaraz has officially withdrawn from Spain’s upcoming Davis Cup tie against Denmark, opting to rest after his recent triumph in New York. The Spaniard’s decision to prepare for the Laver Cup instead leaves a significant void in his nation’s singles lineup for the matches in Marbella.
Adding to Spain’s concerns, Marcel Granollers’s availability remains in doubt due to fitness issues. The veteran’s participation could be crucial in the doubles rubber, especially after he recently won both the French Open and US Open doubles titles.
In response to the absences, Spanish captain David Ferrer has called up the in-form Jaume Munar. He will join Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Pedro Martínez to round out the team.
Alcaraz will not play the DavisCup next weekend against Denmark. It will be played in Marbella and on clay.
Granollers (who also won the USO and RG this year, in doubles) is doubtful too.
Munar joins Davidovich and Martinez.
DEN has Rune and Moller so this is now wide open. pic.twitter.com/zHL3pRAyhq
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 8, 2025
The withdrawal comes after an incredible stretch of play from Alcaraz. Since April this year, the Spaniard has reached eight consecutive finals across three different surfaces, emerging victorious on six occasions. His dominance was clear in the US Open final as well, where he defeated his rival, Jannik Sinner, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
The Spaniard dropped only one set the entire tournament, en route to securing his sixth major and reclaiming the World No. 1 ranking from Sinner.
“Since I got the chance to recover the No. 1, it was one of the first goals that I had during the season, just to try to recover the No. 1 as soon as possible or end the year as the No. 1,” Alcaraz said after his win. “For me, achieving that once again, it is a dream.”
At just 22 years old, Alcaraz is now the second-youngest man to win six major singles titles, trailing only the legendary Bjorn Borg.
Why Are Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul Also Missing Upcoming Tournaments?
The USTA recently announced that Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul will miss the upcoming Davis Cup match against the Czech Republic in Delray Beach. Both players are battling injuries. The two-day tie, held on hard courts, is scheduled for September 12-13. Reilly Opelka, Rajeev Ram, and Austin Krajicek have confirmed their participation for the United States.
Additionally, Shelton and Paul have also withdrawn from the Laver Cup. Alex Michelsen and Opelka will take their places on Team World. Despite his own Davis Cup withdrawal, Alcaraz is still expected to compete in the Laver Cup.
Meanwhile, Shelton’s exit from the US Open was particularly tough. He was forced to retire for the first time in his 178-match professional career during his third-round match against Adrian Mannarino, with the contest tied at two sets apiece.
Paul also struggled physically during his third-round loss to Alexander Bublik. The American has fought injuries all season, beginning with an abdominal ailment that ended his French Open run in the quarterfinals. Later, a foot injury at Wimbledon sidelined him for several weeks.
Will miss many of the players AS my family had a tennis addiction. Especially Ben Sheldon nice young man coming up the ranks.