Alejandro Davidovich puts David Ferrer feud behind him as Spain prepares Davis Cup return

Friday, 23 October 2026 at 04:30

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina with racket in hand fist pumping air

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is reportedly set to return to Spain’s Davis Cup team after a turbulent year that saw his relationship with captain David Ferrer come under public scrutiny. According to Marca, the 27-year-old is expected to take the fifth spot in the squad for the Final 8 in Bologna, putting an end to months of uncertainty over his place in the national team.

The news comes after the best stretch of Davidovich’s career. The Spaniard won the Chengdu Open before claiming his first Masters 1000 title in Shanghai, where he defeated compatriot Rafael Jódar in the final. Those results have strengthened his case for selection and put him back in contention to represent Spain at one of the biggest events of the season.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jódar, Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martínez are expected to make up the rest of the Spanish squad. The official announcement is scheduled for October 26, meaning Davidovich’s inclusion still awaits formal confirmation. Spain will face Austria in the quarter-finals in Bologna, with the team looking to win its seventh Davis Cup title and first since 2019.

A potential return would also mark a significant change in the situation between Davidovich and Ferrer. Their disagreement became one of the talking points surrounding Spain’s campaign last year, when the former world No. 3 was left out of the team despite being the country’s second-highest-ranked player.

Davidovich’s form opens the door to a Spain return

Davidovich made his intentions clear after winning the Shanghai Masters, explaining that he had been in contact with Ferrer and was willing to take whatever role the captain needed him to fill.

“I've spoken with David. He has congratulated me on all these matches. The truth is that we've been in conversations. Obviously, I told him that I'm willing to be the fifth player, that he can count on me to be in the team,” Davidovich said after the final.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at Chengdu Open

He also made clear that he was ready to contribute if selected, regardless of whether he would be one of Spain’s leading singles options. “We have a great team, a very high probability of winning the Davis Cup. Obviously, I told him that I will contribute my bit. If he calls me up, I'll be there.”

The comments suggested that both sides had moved towards a more constructive position after last year’s disagreement. Davidovich had also written “Estoy, eh” and “Esperando” on television cameras during his Shanghai campaign, messages that some fans interpreted as indirect reminders to Ferrer about his availability. The Spaniard later said the messages were related to chess rather than the captain.

His results have now put him in a strong position to complete the squad, with his Shanghai triumph following his victory in Chengdu. According to reports, he has emerged ahead of other candidates for the final place, including Jaume Munar and Dani Mérida.

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A post shared by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (@aledavidovichofficial)

Spain’s Davis Cup Finals squad (2026)

Player	ATP Ranking	Age
Carlos Alcaraz	No. 3	23
Rafael Jodar	No. 11	20
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina	No. 13	27
Pedro Martinez	No. 132	29
Marcel Granollers	No. 6 (doubles)	40

The dispute that kept Davidovich out of Spain’s team

The tension dates back to September 2025, when Davidovich did not play Spain’s Davis Cup tie against Denmark in Marbella. Ferrer said at the time that the player had informed him after the US Open that he would not be available, citing a problem, after also missing the earlier tie against Switzerland.

The disagreement resurfaced the following month when Ferrer announced his initial selections for the Final 8. Davidovich, then ranked No. 18 in the world, publicly expressed his disappointment at being overlooked, arguing that his ranking made him deserving of a place among Spain’s leading players.

“Being number 18 in the world, I think I deserved to be among the four best players in my country, with all respect to my teammates, who are great players too,” he told Marca in October 2025.

Ferrer subsequently selected Pablo Carreño Busta for the final spot. The captain said Davidovich had effectively excluded himself from consideration after indicating that he was not available, while also acknowledging that previous last-minute withdrawals had influenced his decision.

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The disagreement did not appear to have been fully resolved publicly in the months that followed. However, Ferrer said in October 2026 that he did not take the situation personally and confirmed that Davidovich remained a possible selection. He also said he had contacted the player after his victory in Chengdu.

Now, with Davidovich reportedly set to return, the focus shifts from their past disagreement to Spain’s title ambitions. Ferrer will step down as captain after the Bologna Finals, making this potentially his final opportunity to lead the country to a Davis Cup crown. For Davidovich, a call-up would offer a chance to put the controversy behind him and contribute to Spain’s attempt to end a seven-year wait for the trophy.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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