Spanish Davis Cup captain David Ferrer has responded to the news that two of his finest players will not be competing in the Davis Cup qualifiers later this week.
Ferrer, who has captained Spain’s Davis Cup team since December 2022, will be without Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers when Spain begins their second qualifying round of the Davis Cup.
Needless to say, these are two extremely significant omissions. Alcaraz, a six-time major champion, recently won the US Open Men’s Singles title.
Meanwhile, Granollers is one of the best doubles players of his generation: a former world number one in the format and the current US Open Men’s Doubles champion.
Ferrer, formerly world number three in singles, said the withdrawals represented ‘two very important casualties.’
David Ferrer trusts his team despite the absence of Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers
Speaking at a Davis Cup press conference ahead of Spain’s match against Denmark, Ferrer said: “Obviously there are two very important casualties, those of Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers. We accept it and face them, they are things that can happen.
“Nothing more: I don’t want to waste any more time regretting those who could be and are not.
“I trust my team: they have all made their debut in the Davis Cup, and whether you like it or not, that’s an advantage when it comes to a new playoff.
“Jaume [Munar] and Roberto made their debut against Switzerland, and that gives you confidence to know that they are team players, Davis Cup, and that they are going to give their best. That reassures me, beyond winning or losing, because I know they will compete well.”
Spain face a Denmark team headlined by Holger Rune in the second qualifying round. The Spanish squad have also been hampered further by the withdrawal of Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and will subsequently bring just four players to the event.
The Spanish squad set to play Denmark include Jaume Munar, Pedro Martinez, Roberto Carballes Baena and Pablo Carreño Busta.
What did Carlos Alcaraz say about withdrawing?
After withdrawing, Carlos Alcaraz expressed his dismay, saying it would be ‘too selfish’ for him to compete.
Speaking to Cadena SER, Alcaraz said: “I feel very bad, but I’m on a very demanding tour, both mentally and physically, with a lot of matches, and I don’t have time to get home and prepare in the best way possible for the Davis Cup.
“I think that would be too selfish, and other players can do better than me.
“I need rest to face the rest of the season and, above all, to be mentally calm to assimilate everything I’ve achieved on this tour.”
If Spain defeat Denmark in the Davis Cup second qualifying round, they will qualify for the Davis Cup finals, which will take place from November 18 to 23 in Bologna, Italy.
