The Spanish Davis Cup team are in Bologna preparing for their quarter-final match against Czechia.
Unfortunately for Spanish tennis fans, the team will be without their talisman, Carlos Alcaraz, who pulled out of the event after suffering a muscular edema in his right hamstring.
Alcaraz, who is yet to win the Davis Cup, expressed his sorrow on social media after withdrawing.
David Ferrer, the former world number three and captain of Spain’s Davis Cup team, has revealed when he found out about Alcaraz’s withdrawal.
David Ferrer found out about Carlos Alcaraz’s Davis Cup withdrawal on Monday night
David Ferrer, a former French Open finalist, has been speaking to reporters in Bologna ahead of Spain’s opening match against Czechia.
During the press conference, Ferrer was asked to pinpoint when he was first informed of Alcaraz’s Davis Cup withdrawal.
“Well, I knew after the match against Jannik Sinner in Turin,” Ferrer said.
“Yeah, yesterday night Juan Carlos [Ferrero] came to the hotel and they went to do an MRI. Yeah, yesterday night I spoke with them, with the doctor, our doctor, as well.
“We decide that it’s too risky to play this week. He had important injury [too serious] to play this week.”
Ferrer will rely on Jaume Munar, Pablo Carreno Busta, Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez in Bologna.
Martinez was the hero for Spain during the Davis Cup qualifiers, defeating Holger Rune during Spain’s comeback triumph against Denmark.
Without Alcaraz, the Spaniards face a tough test in Bologna – Czechia boasts two top 20 singles players in the form of Jiri Lehecka and Jakub Mensik.
Spain’s first Davis Cup title
In 2000, Spain won their first Davis Cup title.
The Spaniards defeated Italy, Russia and the United States on their way to the final.
In the final, Spain faced an Australian team boasting superstars Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter.
The first two ties were split, with Hewitt defeating Albert Costa in five sets, and Juan Carlos Ferrero beating Rafter in four sets.
Alex Corretja and Joan Ballcels put Spain in the lead, defeating Sandon Stolle and Mark Woodforde 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
Leading 2-1, Ferrero clinched the title with a 6-2, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Lleyton Hewitt.
As reported by CBS News, Ferrero said: “It’s one of my best victories, well, the best. I’m on cloud nine.”
Spain have won five more titles since, last triumphing in 2019.
