Carlos Alcaraz could be forced to skip another tournament due to his wrist injury.
Alcaraz withdrew from Roland Garros, the Italian Open and the Madrid Open after injuring his right wrist.
As a result of this, there are now even questions over whether Alcaraz could miss Wimbledon as well.
Although it is unclear as to whether Alcaraz will be forced to skip the grass court season as well, he has been predicted to miss another important event.
Carlos Alcaraz expected to skip Spain’s Davis Cup Qualifier
Alcaraz completed the Career Grand Slam earlier this year after winning the Australian Open, and after he was asked which titles he most wants to win now.
One of the tournaments he named was the Davis Cup, which Alcaraz has not played in since 2024.
Spain are set to play Chile in their second Davis Cup qualifier in South America later this year, but former world number 31 Horacio de la Peña does not think Alcaraz will be there.
“I see it as a very interesting match-up. I think that, given the dates and his injury, Alcaraz will not be able to play,” De la Peña told Clay.
“[Alejandro] Davidovich Fokina will find it very difficult as the top player. Two young players with enormous potential have emerged — Rafael Jódar and Martín Landaluce — and the rest of the Spanish players are at a similar level to the Chileans.
“Chile will need to make the most of home advantage. It is genuinely very difficult for any team to come and compete in Chile expecting to take the win.”
How worried are you about Carlos Alcaraz’s injury?
Carlos Alcaraz will miss Rome and Roland Garros…
De la Peña was then asked who he thinks is the favorite to win the title, to which he suggested that he now backed Chile.
“Chile, because of home advantage,” said De la Peña. “If I had to back someone, I would say Chile wins.”
De la Peña is not the only person who believes that the world number two will not play in the Davis Cup this year, as Roberto Bautista Agut also predicted Alcaraz to skip the tie.
Alcaraz missed the Davis Cup Finals last year as well due to a hamstring injury, and Spain may not even reach the latter stages this year according to De la Peña.
Horacio De La Peña says if players now prioritise their individual careers over the Davis Cup
The Davis Cup has been highly criticised since its overhaul in 2019, significantly reducing the number of home-and-away ties.
There has been a change to move back towards the old format recently, but the Davis Cup has still been impacted by the number of top players choosing not to represent their nations.
The Davis Cup has to make a change… which is your preference?
Argentinian De la Peña was asked about this, highlighting the issues that his own nation have had.
“No, it is not that they prioritise one over the other,” said De la Peña. “The reality is that unfortunately they have had three consecutive years with a very poor draw, having to play indoors, on hard courts, away from home.
“That is simply what they have had to deal with. It is a shame. I can speak more closely about what happened to Tomás Etcheverry — last year, when I was coaching him, we went to Norway and he came back destroyed.
“By the time the clay court swing came around he was exhausted from the changes in climate, ball, and everything else. It takes a tremendous toll. Argentina has had very bad luck in recent draws.”
The next set of Davis Cup qualifiers will take place in September after the US Open.
